TThe Black Sea – a pilot area to he Black Sea – a pilot area to understand the marine understand the marine

ecosystem evolution and to ecosystem evolution and to develop protective develop protective recommendationsrecommendations

Yuvenaly Zaitsev

An Exceptional Sea

The Black Sea (BS) is an inland intercontinental sea. Because of heavy discharge of river water the surface layer of the BS has a relatively low salinity 16-18‰ which below 200 m reaches 21-22‰. This, combined with the shallowness of the connecting channels with the Mediterranean, makes the BS a stagnant marine area.

As a result 87% of water column and 75% of bottom are contaminated with H2S.

An Exceptional Sea

This area was traditionally considered azoic (without life) except anaerobic bacteria.

Last time, viable dormant stages of dozen species of aerobic bacteria, unicellular algae and fungi in the deepest sediments of the sea were discovered.

Because of low number of marine species, the BS has a limited ecological immunity and is open for penetration of alien species.

Achievements

First textbook “An Introduction to the Black Sea Ecology” for students,

First Posters for involving the public in environmental protection actions: “Save the Black Sea”, “Commercial Fisheries in the Black Sea. Three decades of decline” and “Endangered Species of the Black Sea Wetlands”

2. There are very few information about the 2. There are very few information about the biological diversity, number, biomass and biological diversity, number, biomass and production in all types of contour biotopes production in all types of contour biotopes (splash and spray zones) of the Black Sea (splash and spray zones) of the Black Sea (sandy beaches, rocky coasts, man-made (sandy beaches, rocky coasts, man-made constructions). No enough data about the constructions). No enough data about the impact of different coastal constructions and impact of different coastal constructions and activities on marine organisms and activities on marine organisms and communities. These data are important for communities. These data are important for the assessment of the man-made impact the assessment of the man-made impact coastal areas.coastal areas.