An Integrative Approach to Assess and Map Zostera noltei Meadows Along the Romanian Black Sea Coast DOI Creative Commons
Oana Marin, Florin Timofte, Adrian Filimon

et al.

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(12), P. 2346 - 2346

Published: Dec. 20, 2024

Seagrass meadows, including those formed by Zostera noltei, play a crucial role in marine ecosystem health providing habitat stability and coastal protection. In the Romanian Black Sea, Z. noltei meadows are critically endangered due to pressures from eutrophication, loss, climate change. This study presents comprehensive baseline assessment of near Mangalia, Romania, utilizing situ field methods UAV mapping conducted spring summer 2023. Seven meadow sites (Z1–Z7) were identified, with notable variability density, shoot counts, coverage across sites. Site Z1 exhibited highest density (1223 shoots/m−2) Z5 Z7 longest leaves (an average 60 cm), reflecting possible environmental influences. Statistical analyses revealed significant inter-site differences leaf length, emerging as primary differentiator. Ex epiphyte load indicated median, balanced load. dataset supported selection reference donor site for seagrass relocation activities along coast By critical insights into structure health, this supports future conservation efforts evidence-based management these vulnerable habitats.

Language: Английский

A Long-Term Perspective of Seasonal Shifts in Nutrient Dynamics and Eutrophication in the Romanian Black Sea Coast DOI Open Access

Elena Ristea,

Elena Bișinicu, Vasile Lavric

et al.

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 1090 - 1090

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

This study investigates the long-term seasonal shifts in nutrient dynamics and eutrophication processes Romanian Black Sea coastal waters using multi-decadal data (1960/1976/1980–2023). The findings highlight significant interannual changes, revealing a progressive rise seawater temperature, declining oxygen concentrations, notable stoichiometry, particularly an increasing nitrogen–phosphorus (N:P) ratio. These changes are closely associated with increased occurrences of harmful algal blooms (Noctiluca scintillans), emphasizing complex relationship between warming, dissolved cycles, biological activity. Seasonal patterns show that prolonged warmer periods, especially during autumn, exacerbate depletion imbalances, implications for marine life food webs. underscores importance targeted nitrogen reduction strategies, including optimized fertilizer use, improved wastewater treatment, establishment buffer zones to minimize land-based inputs. Regional cooperation integrated management aligned Marine Strategy Framework Directive essential mitigating eutrophication. results provide critical insights into impacts climate change on ecosystems. research contributes global efforts under SDG 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), 3 (Good Health Well-being), addressing key challenges biodiversity, water quality, ecosystem sustainability.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Framing social systems for ecosystem-based management: The Guadalquivir estuary-Gulf of Cadiz coupled SES as case study DOI Creative Commons
Alfredo García-de-Vinuesa,

David Florido,

César Vílas

et al.

Environmental Development, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 101206 - 101206

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Baseline Assessment of Black Sea Food Web Integrity Using a Zooplankton-Based Approach Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive DOI Creative Commons
Elena Bișinicu, George-Emanuel Harcotă

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(4), P. 713 - 713

Published: April 2, 2025

This study presents the first scientific evaluation of food web integrity in Black Sea under Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptor 4 (Food Webs), utilizing zooplankton indicators to assess environmental status during warm season (May October) from 2018 2023. The research aims analyze trophic interactions, biodiversity patterns, and ecological stability by examining three key indicators: Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Copepoda biomass, Mnemiopsis leidyi biomass. findings reveal that index failed achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) any four Reporting Units (MRUs), suggesting insufficient community potential imbalances. biomass met GES criteria only marine offshore waters, indicating spatial variability copepod population across Sea. Meanwhile, M. remained within thresholds all MRUs, its levels do not currently threaten web, despite known invasive impact. provides critical baseline data on structure dynamics Sea, offering a scientifically grounded framework for future monitoring management strategies. results emphasize need targeted conservation efforts adaptive approaches enhance health alignment with MSFD objectives.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Long-Term Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) from the Romanian Black Sea: Ecological and Human Health Risks in the Context of Sustainable Fisheries DOI Creative Commons
Andra Oros, Mădălina Galațchi

Fishes, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 10(4), P. 178 - 178

Published: April 15, 2025

This study evaluates the heavy metals concentrations in sprat (Sprattus sprattus, Linnaeus, 1758) from Romanian Black Sea, assessing both ecological implications and human health risks associated with consumption. Using long-term data spanning 1994–2019, levels of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) dorsal muscle tissues were analyzed to identify contamination trends episodic pollution events. Although most remained below regulatory thresholds, occasional exceedances Cd Pb suggest intermittent inputs. Health assessed using dietary indices including estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total (TTHQ), carcinogenic risk index (CRI). Findings indicate that, under current exposure levels, regular consumption poses minimal risk. However, prolonged during peak periods may contribute cumulative toxic effects, for ecosystem stability food safety. Given persistence their interactions co-occurring pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ongoing monitoring remains essential. supports development sustainable environmental policies aimed at protecting marine biodiversity consumer Sea region.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Temporal and spatial trends in eutrophication status in the Oslofjord, Norway DOI Creative Commons
Patricio Ramón, Jesper H. Andersen, Ciarán Murray

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 978, P. 179462 - 179462

Published: April 18, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Recent Findings on the Pollution Levels in the Romanian Black Sea Ecosystem: Implications for Achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Directive 2008/56/EC) DOI Open Access
Andra Oros, Valentina Coatu, Nicoleta Damir

et al.

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(22), P. 9785 - 9785

Published: Nov. 9, 2024

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of contamination levels in the Romanian Black Sea within framework Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Over course five oceanographic expeditions between 2020 and 2022, data were gathered from 70 stations transitional, coastal, shelf, offshore waters Sea. Analyses conducted on water, sediment, biota samples for key contaminants: heavy metals (HMs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The assessment identified hotspots near riverine inputs, urban runoff, harbor activities, industrial discharges. Offshore also showed measurable pollutant levels, likely diffuse sources atmospheric deposition. findings reveal widespread HMs, PAHs, POPs across Sea, with concentrations certain areas exceeding acceptable environmental thresholds, highlighting ongoing challenges regional pollution management. PAHs prevalent both nearshore regions, while OCPs PCBs detected various matrices, significant observed water samples. emphasizes importance integrated assessments MSFD framework, suggesting that future evaluations should complement “one out-all out” (OOAO) approach multi-metric tools, to enhance robustness status reporting. Despite improvements some areas, remains critical challenge, requiring strengthened regulations, improved waste management, increased cooperation mitigate risks marine ecosystems. provide valuable upcoming national cycle (2018–2023) highlight need sustained monitoring coordinated efforts ensure long-term sustainability.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Exploring Mesozooplankton Insights by Assessing the Ecological Status of Black Sea Waters Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive DOI Creative Commons
Elena Bișinicu, Luminiţa Lazăr

Oceans, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(4), P. 923 - 950

Published: Dec. 2, 2024

Mesozooplankton are highly responsive to environmental changes, making their population dynamics and species composition important indicators of large-scale oceanic conditions. This study investigates the mesozooplankton composition, emphasizing biomass values across all three marine reporting units in Romanian Black Sea from 2013 2020, covering 45 stations that represent transitional, coastal, waters during warm season. It also examines parameters, such as temperature, salinity, nutrient levels associated with eutrophication, impact mesozooplankton, well status pelagic habitat this region, influenced by various hydrological anthropogenic factors. Statistical analyses, including multivariate methods, were employed investigate correlations between facilitating ecological assessments accordance Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptors 1 (Biodiversity) 5 (Eutrophication) using bBiomass, Copepoda Biomass, Noctiluca scintillans iomass. The results indicated Biomass did not reach good (GES). However, indicator demonstrated achieved GES seasons. These findings underscore dynamic nature habitats highlight importance ongoing monitoring inform policy conservation efforts.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Model-Based Analysis of the Oxygen Budget in the Black Sea Water Column DOI Open Access
Matvey Novikov, Svetlana Pakhomova, Anfisa Berezina

et al.

Water, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(17), P. 2380 - 2380

Published: Aug. 24, 2024

Climate change and anthropogenic impacts drastically affect the biogeochemical regime of Black Sea, which contains largest volume sulphidic water in world. The Sea’s oxygen inventory depends on vertical mixing that transports dissolved (DO) from upper euphotic layer to deeper layers consumption for oxidation organic matter (OM) reduced species S, Fe, Mn. Here we use a one-dimensional transport model, 2DBP, forced by Copernicus data, was coupled with FABM-family N-P-Si-C-O-S-Mn-Fe Bottom RedOx Model BROM. research objective this study analyze budget 350 m Sea demonstrate role parameterization acceleration sinking particles covered precipitated Mn(IV). analysis revealed distinct patterns within different depths. In oxic zone, primary sink DO is mineralization matter, whereas suboxic Mn(II) becomes predominant sink. produced Mn(IV) sinks down reacts hydrogen sulphide several meters below, making possible existence without detectable concentrations H2S.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Validating an In-House Method for Assessing Effluent Discharge Toxicity Using Acartia tonsa in the Black Sea DOI Creative Commons
Elena Bișinicu, George-Emanuel Harcotă, Valentina Coatu

et al.

Applied Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(21), P. 9861 - 9861

Published: Oct. 28, 2024

The marine copepod Acartia tonsa is an important bioindicator in ecotoxicological studies due to its sensitivity pollutants and ecological importance. This research evaluates the effects of reference toxicant on survival A. tonsa, aiming validate in-house method that assesses reliability species for testing Black Sea. individuals were exposed controlled laboratory conditions varying 3,5-dichlorophenol (reference toxicant) concentrations, with their rates monitored over 48 h. Survival data analyzed determine lethal concentration (LC50), a metric assessing toxicity. derived LC50 values offer benchmarks environmental impact different effluent discharges Sea region. outcomes will contribute improving accuracy consistency monitoring risk assessment practices region, ensuring variations toxicity are attributable factors rather than methodological discrepancies.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
An Integrative Approach to Assess and Map Zostera noltei Meadows Along the Romanian Black Sea Coast DOI Creative Commons
Oana Marin, Florin Timofte, Adrian Filimon

et al.

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(12), P. 2346 - 2346

Published: Dec. 20, 2024

Seagrass meadows, including those formed by Zostera noltei, play a crucial role in marine ecosystem health providing habitat stability and coastal protection. In the Romanian Black Sea, Z. noltei meadows are critically endangered due to pressures from eutrophication, loss, climate change. This study presents comprehensive baseline assessment of near Mangalia, Romania, utilizing situ field methods UAV mapping conducted spring summer 2023. Seven meadow sites (Z1–Z7) were identified, with notable variability density, shoot counts, coverage across sites. Site Z1 exhibited highest density (1223 shoots/m−2) Z5 Z7 longest leaves (an average 60 cm), reflecting possible environmental influences. Statistical analyses revealed significant inter-site differences leaf length, emerging as primary differentiator. Ex epiphyte load indicated median, balanced load. dataset supported selection reference donor site for seagrass relocation activities along coast By critical insights into structure health, this supports future conservation efforts evidence-based management these vulnerable habitats.

Language: Английский

Citations

0