Causes and Consequences of the Black Sea Ecosystem Pollution with Petroleum Products

2020 ◽  
pp. 29-44
Author(s):  
Bogdan Cioruța ◽  
Diana Mădăras ◽  
Mirela Coman
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Petroleum Products ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Oil Pipeline

Until the beginning of the 21st century concerns related to the management of protected areas have been reduced to the voluntary initiatives of nature lovers, rarely materializing in specific conservation measures carried out by the authorities or administrators of those areas. As the concern for the management of protected areas is relatively new in Romania and the information related to this subject is relatively scarce, especially those regarding marine ecosystems, we considered necessary this study on the management of marine protected areas in relation to oil pollution. Marine protected areas, in particular, delimited as areas where the main purpose is the protection of nature and cultural values, are important for all segments of society. They have great potential to become models of harmonious society development, promoting more than other protected areas the sustainable resource management. At the same time, the management measures promoted, sometimes imposed, can affect the communities inside or in the immediate vicinity of the areas, and can significantly influence the development of the economy. Recently (as a reference 1970-2020), the pollution of the marine environment with petroleum products has gained dramatic accents. The maritime transport of oil, the exploration and exploitation of marine deposits, their processing in refineries located in the vicinity of the coastal area, to which are added other anthropogenic activities, have generated and still generate a number of risk factors, which involve numerous pollution incidents. Navigation accidents of large oil tanks or incidents at offshore drilling rigs caused, in the same period, major environmental disasters, with the most severe consequences. Marine ecosystems in polluted regions have thus suffered major losses and disturbances, which have been felt for a long time. Through this paper we aim to review some aspects of oil pipeline pollution of the Planetary Ocean, respectively the associated pollution in the Black Sea ecosystem. Following the analyzes carried out on the basis of the data from the consulted literature, as well as following other observations, we came to the conclusion that the protected areas associated with the Black Sea, as well as the marine ecosystem itself, are far from being affected by such accidents.

scholarly journals Biodiversity in the Black Sea - ecological Study from the Perspective of Romanian philately

2021 ◽  
pp. 35-50
Author(s):  
Bogdan-Vasile Cioruța ◽  
Alexandru Leonard Pop ◽  
Mirela Coman
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
General Public ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Postage Stamps

As the concern for the management of protected areas is relatively new in Romania, and the information related to this topic is relatively scarce, especially those on marine ecosystems, we considered necessary this study on the management of marine protected areas with specific biodiversity illustrated by philately. Marine protected areas, in particular, delimited as areas where the main purpose is the protection of nature and cultural values, are important for all segments of society. Through this paper, we aimed to review several aspects, ecological and philatelic alike, regarding the specific biodiversity of the Black Sea ecosystem. Following the analyzes performed on account of the data from the consulted specialized literature (in the form of postage stamps, FDCs, occasional envelopes, and maximum postcards, but also other philatelic effects), as well as as a result of other observations (with catalogs and sites with philatelic content), we concluded that the biodiversity of the Black Sea, as well as the marine ecosystem itself, are relatively well represented in Romanian philately. The four philatelic issues illustrate crustaceans, mollusks, corals, and anemones, but also other species, all being to the liking of the general public in terms of information and promotion.

scholarly journals Considerations on the Main Confrontations of Pollution by the Black Sea Ecosystem

2020 ◽  
pp. 46-55
Author(s):  
Bogdan-Vasile Cioruța ◽  
Mirela Coman
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Petroleum Products ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Sustainable Resource Management ◽  
Community Interest ◽  
General Aspects

Until the beginning of the 21st century, concerns related to environmental management have been reduced only to voluntary initiatives of nature lovers, rarely materializing in specific protection and conservation measures carried out by the authorities or administrators of those areas. As the concern for the management of protected areas, in general, of marine areas of community interest, in particular, is relatively new in Romania, and the information related to this subject is relatively little, especially those regarding marine ecosystems. We considered this study as useful to those with concerns in the field. The Black Sea ecosystem, following the analyzes carried out on the basis data from the media and the literature consulted, as well as following other observations, we concluded that it has a significant pollution with plastic waste, and less with petroleum products resulting from accidents and spills. At the same time, the protected areas associated with the Black Sea, as well as the marine ecosystem itself, are far from being affected by such incidents. Through this paper, we aim to review some general aspects of the main problems facing the Black Sea ecosystem, an ecosystem that has great potential to become a sustainable model of community development, promoting in them, more than in other areas, sustainable resource management. We also aim to highlight the evolution of pollution of the ecosystem considered, the study itself relating to the principles of management of protected areas of community interest and good practice policies specific to environmental management.

scholarly journals State of key phytocenoses of marine protected areas and problems their conservation (southwestern Crimea, Black Sea)

2019 ◽  
pp. 113-123
Author(s):  
N. A. Milchakova ◽  
V. V. Alexandrov ◽  
V. G. Ryabogina
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Lower Boundary ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Distribution Features ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Specially Protected Natural Areas ◽  
Southwestern Crimea

Data on the state of bottom vegetation and biotopes of marine protected areas (MPA), which are part of six specially protected natural areas (SPAs) of Sevastopol, are presented. Based on a synthesis of hydrobotanical studies for 2008-2018, the composition and structure of Cystoseira and Phyllophora phytocenoses, key for the coastal zone of the southwestern Crimea and the Black Sea ecosystem, are characterized; their species diversity, production indices, and distribution features are described. A comparative analysis of long-term changes showed that in the structure of the Cystoseira phytocenosis of MPAs there was an increase in the number of green algae, indicators of household pollution, the lower boundary of the distributions of both phytocenoses was halved. For the first time for the Sevastopol region, data are presented on the area of Cystoseira and Phyllophora biotopes, which amounted to 3323.5 and 430.5 ha, respectively (9 and 17.3% in the areas of protected areas). Scientifically based recommendations for the conservation and restoration of phytocenoses and biotopes of key species with high conservation status are proposed.

ATMOSPHERIC N DEPOSITION TO THE COASTAL AREA OF THE BLACK SEA: SOURCES, INTRA-ANNUAL VARIATIONS AND IMPORTANCE FOR BIOGEOCHEMISTRY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE SURFACE LAYER

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alla Varenik ◽  
Alla Varenik ◽  
Sergey Konovalov ◽  
Sergey Konovalov
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Local Source ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Atmospheric N Deposition ◽  
Urban Location

Atmospheric precipitations can be an important source of nutrients to open and coastal zones of marine ecosystem. Jickells [1] has published that atmospheric depositions can sup-port 5-25% of nitrogen required to primary production. Bulk atmospheric precipitations have been collected in a rural location at the Black Sea Crimean coast – Katsiveli settlement, and an urban location – Sevastopol city. Samples have been analyzed for inorganic fixed nitrogen (IFN) – nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium. Deposi-tions have been calculated at various space and time scales. The monthly volume weighted mean concentration of IFN increases from summer to winter in both locations. A significant local source of IFN has been revealed for the urban location and this source and its spatial influence have been quantified. IFN deposition with atmospheric precipitations is up to 5% of its background content in the upper 10 m layer of water at the north-western shelf of the Black Sea. Considering Redfield C:N ratio (106:16) and the rate of primary production (PP) in coastal areas of the Black Sea of about 100-130 g C m-2 year-1 we have assessed that average atmospheric IFN depositions may intensify primary production by 4.5% for rural locations, but this value is increased many-fold in urban locations due to local IFN sources.

ATMOSPHERIC N DEPOSITION TO THE COASTAL AREA OF THE BLACK SEA: SOURCES, INTRA-ANNUAL VARIATIONS AND IMPORTANCE FOR BIOGEOCHEMISTRY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE SURFACE LAYER

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alla Varenik ◽  
Alla Varenik ◽  
Sergey Konovalov ◽  
Sergey Konovalov
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Local Source ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Atmospheric N Deposition ◽  
Urban Location

Atmospheric precipitations can be an important source of nutrients to open and coastal zones of marine ecosystem. Jickells [1] has published that atmospheric depositions can sup-port 5-25% of nitrogen required to primary production. Bulk atmospheric precipitations have been collected in a rural location at the Black Sea Crimean coast – Katsiveli settlement, and an urban location – Sevastopol city. Samples have been analyzed for inorganic fixed nitrogen (IFN) – nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium. Deposi-tions have been calculated at various space and time scales. The monthly volume weighted mean concentration of IFN increases from summer to winter in both locations. A significant local source of IFN has been revealed for the urban location and this source and its spatial influence have been quantified. IFN deposition with atmospheric precipitations is up to 5% of its background content in the upper 10 m layer of water at the north-western shelf of the Black Sea. Considering Redfield C:N ratio (106:16) and the rate of primary production (PP) in coastal areas of the Black Sea of about 100-130 g C m-2 year-1 we have assessed that average atmospheric IFN depositions may intensify primary production by 4.5% for rural locations, but this value is increased many-fold in urban locations due to local IFN sources.

scholarly journals Autonomous Marine Robot Based on AI Recognition for Permanent Surveillance in Marine Protected Areas

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2664
Author(s):  
J. Carlos Molina-Molina ◽  
Marouane Salhaoui ◽  
Antonio Guerrero-González ◽  
Mounir Arioua
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Recognition Accuracy ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Base Station ◽  
Autonomous Surface Vehicle ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Illegal Activities ◽  
Marine Areas

The world’s oceans are one of the most valuable sources of biodiversity and resources on the planet, although there are areas where the marine ecosystem is threatened by human activities. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are distinctive spaces protected by law due to their unique characteristics, such as being the habitat of endangered marine species. Even with this protection, there are still illegal activities such as poaching or anchoring that threaten the survival of different marine species. In this context, we propose an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) model system for the surveillance of marine areas by detecting and recognizing vessels through artificial intelligence (AI)-based image recognition services, in search of those carrying out illegal activities. Cloud and edge AI computing technologies were used for computer vision. These technologies have proven to be accurate and reliable in detecting shapes and objects for which they have been trained. Azure edge and cloud vision services offer the best option in terms of accuracy for this task. Due to the lack of 4G and 5G coverage in offshore marine environments, it is necessary to use radio links with a coastal base station to ensure communications, which may result in a high response time due to the high latency involved. The analysis of on-board images may not be sufficiently accurate; therefore, we proposed a smart algorithm for autonomy optimization by selecting the proper AI technology according to the current scenario (SAAO) capable of selecting the best AI source for the current scenario in real time, according to the required recognition accuracy or low latency. The SAAO optimizes the execution, efficiency, risk reduction, and results of each stage of the surveillance mission, taking appropriate decisions by selecting either cloud or edge vision models without human intervention.

Georgian Historians and the Ideological Confrontation Between East and West

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-164
Author(s):  
George Gotsiridze
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Black Sea Region ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Science And Culture ◽  
East And West

The work, on the one hand, highlights the mission of Europe, as an importer of knowledge, which has for centuries been the center of gravity for the whole world, and, on the other hand, the role of the Black Sea Region, as an important part of the Great Silk Road, which had also for a long time been promoting the process of rap-prochement and exchange of cultural values between East and West peoples, until it became the ‘inner lake’ of the Ottoman Empire, and today it reverts the function of rapproching and connecting civilizations. The article shows the importance of the Black Sea countries in maintaining overall European stability and in this context the role of historical science. On the backdrop of the ideological confrontation between Georgian historians being inside and outside the Iron Curtain, which began with the foundation of the Soviet Union, the research sheds light on the merit of the Georgian scholars-in-exile for both popularization of the Georgian culture and science in Eu-rope and for importing advanced (European) scientific knowledge to Georgia. Ex-change of knowledge in science and culture between the Black Sea region and Europe will enrich and complete each other through impact and each of them will have unique, inimitative features.

scholarly journals GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES OF HYDROCARBON FIELD DEVELOPMENT IN THE BLACK SEA-CASPIAN REGION

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Akhmadiev ◽  
◽  
V.N. Ekzaryan
Keyword(s):  
Black Sea ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Caspian Region ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Environmental Features ◽  
Oil And Gas Fields ◽  
Gas Fields

The paper notes that the hydrocarbon potential of the Black Sea-Caspian region is not exhausted, and therefore the development of its resources is intensifying. The exploitation of oil and gas fields is closely associated with negative consequences for theenvironment. Therefore, the geo-environmental features of the area must be studied and taken into consideration. In relation to the Black Sea-Caspian region the authors have identified and described such features as: the diversity of geopolitical, regional-geological, geographical conditions; the factor of stability of the geological environment; oil pollution of the marine environment and the organization of monitoring of oil pollution.

scholarly journals eDNA metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool for marine protected areas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Gold ◽  
Joshua Sprague ◽  
David J. Kushner ◽  
Erick Zerecero ◽  
Paul H. Barber
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Reserve ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Site Occupancy ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Visual Census ◽  
Underwater Visual Census ◽  
Promising Alternative

AbstractMonitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising alternative for marine ecosystem monitoring, but more direct comparisons to visual surveys are needed to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. This study compares fish communities inside and outside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve off Santa Cruz Island, CA using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. Results from eDNA captured 76% (19/25) of fish species and 95% (19/20) of fish genera observed during pairwise underwater visual census. Species missed by eDNA were due to the inability of MiFish 12S barcodes to differentiate species of rockfishes (Sebastes, n=4) or low site occupancy rates of crevice-dwelling Lythrypnus gobies. However, eDNA detected an additional 30 fish species not recorded in paired visual surveys, but previously reported from prior visual surveys, highlighting the sensitivity of eDNA. Significant variation in eDNA signatures by location (50m) and site (~1000m) demonstrates the sensitivity of eDNA to address key questions such as community composition inside and outside MPAs. Interestingly, eDNA results recorded higher species richness outside the MPA while visual surveys observed the opposite pattern. This result is likely caused by swamping effects of high fish abundance in MPAs that reduce detection probabilities of pelagic and intertidal taxa. Results demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine ecosystems, providing an important complementary tool to visual methods.

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