Vol.11 – 2005 – Journal of the Black Sea / Mediterranean Environment

THE BLACK SEA: A NEW TRANSPORT FOCUS FOR EAST-WEST TRADE

The Black Sea: A new transport focus for east-west trade

A. Erhan Bakirci

Istanbul University,Engineering Faculty, Department of Maritime Transport and Management Engineering, Avcilar Kampus, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

The Black Sea is an inland sea between south-eastern Europe and Asia Minor. It is connected to the Oceans by way of the Mediterranean Sea via the Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, the Dardanelles, the Aegean Sea, the Gibraltar Strait and the Suez Canal. The Black Sea served as a transport node for many centuries. The Silk Road is one of the World’s oldest and historically most important trade routes and is the longest land bridge of the time between Asia and Europe for more than 1000 years. It lost its importance in times when the security of transit no longer existed. Most of the east-west trade hence shifted to shipping transport through the Suez Canal and Malacca Straits. With the collapse of the USSR in 1991 revitalisation of the Silk Road was taken up and gained momentum. TRACECA (TRAnsport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) is such a project to connect Europe to Central Asia. It is planned a continuous railway to run from the Yellow Sea to Western Europe via the Black Sea. Black Sea is to be transited back and forth by means of several ferry connections reaching seaport terminals at Northern Anatolia, Georgia, Bulgaria and Romania. TRACECA is designed to provide combined transport services. Combined transport, at the European level, is an individual mode of transport which makes maximum use of the advantages of the various modes of transport, namely railways and shipping and land transport where necessary. Combined transport thus implies the organisation of intermodal door-to-door transport by transferring the goods from one mode of transport to another without changing the loading unit. Ports in the Black Sea rim will gain importance when the TRACECA corridor is fully operational. Ports in the region however lagged behind changes and developments faced mostly with the advent of containerisation; and on the contrary, developments in the transportation modes in the area and nearby have necessitated the port industry be re-shaped for rational service(s) to shipping. The Black Sea has a vast – though not well organised and co-ordinated – hinterland; linking several continents and seas in all directions. In order to attract the shipping traffic by way of direct or feeder type connections, a common but co-ordinated port policy with a well-defined ,long term action plan set forth by the surrounding states’ administrations is needed.

Keywords: Black Sea, Silk Road, TRACECA, transport corridor, combined transport, port

A STUDY ON THE FISHES OF THE CENTRAL BLACK SEA COAST OF TURKEY

A Study on the fishes of the central Black Sea coast of Turkey

Levent Bat, Yakup Erdem, Serap Ustaoglu, Öztekin Yardim, H. Hüseyin Satilmis

University of Ondokuz Mayis, Sinop Fisheries Faculty, 57000 Sinop, TURKEY

Abstract

As a result of eutrophication caused by increased nutrient input via major northwestern rivers during the last few decades, the Black Sea ecosystem has been subject to extreme changes in recent years. Abnormal changes due to altered nutrient balance were reflected in the qualitative and quantitative composition of phytoplankton, zooplankton and also ichthyofauna. The present study was carried out in the central Black Sea coast of Turkey to recognition of the current status of fish fauna. Fish specimens examined in this study were obtained from the shore and offshore of Sinop-Samsun coast between 1997 and 2004, collecting from the commercial catch of vessels at sea or by SCUBA. A total of 94 species belonging to 44 families were identified. Acipenser persicus is recorded for the first time from the central Black Sea of Turkey. Previous records of the species were confined to the eastern part of the Black Sea, it is occurrence at Turkish coast of the Black Sea extends its distribution range to the central Black Sea.

Keywords: Black Sea , fish species, habitat, zoogeoraphical origin

MARINE ALGAE AND SEAGRASSES OF GIRESUN SHORES (BLACK SEA, TURKEY)

Marine algae and seagrasses of Giresun shores (Black Sea, Turkey)

V. Aysel, H. Erdugan, B. Dural Tarakçi, E. S. Okudan

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Biology Department, Çanakkale, TURKEY
Ege University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Izmir, TURKEY

Abstract

In this study, marine algae and sea grasses in the upper infralittoral zone of the Black Sea coast of Giresun (Black Sea, Turkey) have been examined. Totally 193 taxa have been determined. 18 of them belong to blue-green bacteria (Cyanobacteria), 109 to red algae (Rhodophyta), 33 to brown algae (Ochrophyta), 30 to green algae (Chlorophyta) and 3 to sea grasses (Magnoliophyta). Erythrotrichia investiens, E. vexillaris, Lophosiphonia scopulorum and Spermothamnion repens var. flagelliferum are new records for Turkish shores of the Black Sea.

Keywords: Algae, seagrasses, Giresun, Black Sea, Turkey

METAZOAN PARASITES OF CATFISH ( SILURUS GLANIS, LINNAEUS,1758 ) FROM DURUSU (TERKOS ) LAKE

Metazoan parasites of catfish (Silurus glanis, Linnaeus,1758) from Durusu (Terkos ) Lake

Erhan Soylu

Vacational School of Technical Sciences, Fisheries Department, Marmara University, Istanbul, 34722, TURKEY

Abstract

Total 43 Silurus glanis samples were investigated in order to detect parasites from June 2002 to May 2003 taken from Durusu (Terkos) lake. Parasites belonging to six species were recorded; Ancylodiscoides siluri (Zandt, 1924) and Ancylodiscoides vistulensis (Sivak, 1932) from Monogenoidea, Siluritaenia siluri (Batsch, 1786) from Cestoidea, Diplostomum sp. from Trematoda, Eustrongylides excisus (Jagerskiöld, 1909) from Nematoda and Argulus foliaceus(Linnaeus, 1758) from Crustacea.

Keywords: Fish, parasites, Monogenea, Cestoda, Trematoda, Nematoda, Crustacea

LIFE HISTORY PATTERN OF AN EURASIAN CYPRINID, RHODEUS AMARUS, IN A LARGE DRINKING-WATER SYSTEM (ÖMERLI DAM LAKE-ISTANBUL, TURKEY)

Life history pattern of an Eurasian Cyprinid, Rhodeus amarus, in a large drinking-water system (Ömerli Dam Lake-Istanbul, Turkey)

Ali Serhan Tarkan, Özcan Gaygusuz, Çigdem Gürsoy, Hasan Acipinar

Istanbul University, Faculty of Fisheries, Ordu Cad. No: 200, 34470 Laleli, Istanbul, TURKEY
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Natural and Applied Sciences Institute, 17100, Çanakkale, TURKEY
Istanbul University, Natural and Applied Sciences Institute, 34850, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

The life history pattern (age, growth and reproduction) of bitterling, Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782), was studied in the Ömerli Dam Lake a large drinking water system located in Istanbul (Turkey) between April 2003 to August 2004. Age determination based on opercula readings and validated by scale readings and length frequency analysis shows that population has a 5-year life cycle. The von Bertalanffy growth function was fitted to length-at-age data and displayed variation in growth rates between sexes. Total length-weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0077TL^3.29for males and W = 0.022TL^2.73for females. Spawning season was from April to August. The ratio of males to females was 1:2.32. Condition of male increased from August until April while condition of females fluctuated throughout the year.

Keywords: Rhodeus amarus, age, growth, life history, Ömerli Dam Lake

MONITORING OF RADIONUCLIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN MARINE ALGAE FROM THE TURKISH BLACK SEA COAST AND BOSPHORUS DURING THE PERIOD OF 1984-2001

Monitoring of radionuclide concentrations in marine algae from the Turkish Black Sea coast and Bosphorus during the period of 1984-2001

Sayhan Topcuoglu

Department of Radiobiology, Çekmece Nuclear and Training Center, P. O. Box,1, Atatürk Airport 34149 Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

The anthropogenic radionuclide concentrations were reviewed in macroalgae species were collected from Black Sea and Bosphorus stations in 1984 to 2001. The results showed that the Sinop region was more contaminated than the Şile region on the Black Sea coast of Turkey from the Chernobyl accident. The highest concentration of ¹³⁷Cs radionuclide was found after Chernobil accident in C. linum as 34 Bq kg^-1 (dry weight) during July 1986. The concentrations of the ¹³⁷Cs activity in 1987 and 1988 samples were gradually decreased. However, the ¹³⁷Cs activity detected as 11 Bq kg^-1 (dry weight) in 1992. On the other hand, ¹³⁷Cs levels in tested algae samples were found as below limit of detection after 1994. The natural radionuclide concentration of ²¹⁰Po, ²¹⁰Pb and ⁴⁰K in macroalgae samples are within the range of cited values in the literature.

Keywords: Radionuclide, macroalgae, Black Sea, Bosphorus

MARINE FLORA OF KASTAMONU (BLACK SEA, TURKEY)

Marine flora of Kastamonu (Black Sea, Turkey)

V. Aysel, H. Erdugan, B. Dural-Tarakçi

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Biology Department, Çanakkale, TURKEY
Ege University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Izmir, TURKEY

Abstract

In this research, marine algae and seagrasses in the upper infralittoral zone of the Black Sea, coast of Kastamonu, was investigated. A total of 259 algae and 3 seagrasses taxa were determined. These are the blue-green bacteria (22 taxa), red algae (133 taxa), the brown algae (56 taxa), the green algae (48 taxa) and the flowering plants (3 taxa). Eupogodon planus, Spermothamnion repens (Rhodophyceae), Planophila microcystis and Stromatella monostromatica (Fucophyceae) are new records for Black Sea and Turkish black sea shores.

Keywords: Blue-green bacteria, red algae, brown algae, green algae, seagrasses, Kastamonu, Black Sea, Turkey

BOSPHORUS: IS THE PASSAGE GETTING SAFER?

Bosphorus: Is the passage getting safer?

Birsen Koldemir

Istanbul University, Engineering Faculty, Dept. of Maritime Transportation and Management, Avcilar Campus, Avcilar, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

The Bosphorus (Istanbul Strait) is the most critical passage in the World for vessels passing through; mainly due to its narrowness, its shape with several sharp turns and headlands which limit to have an extended sight for a proper look-out and close the view behind, complex as well as day-to-day changing nature of its currents. The localities with high risk for grounding or stranding in the Bosphorus are: Umur Banki, Yenikoy,Bebek, Kandilli; for collisions the evidence suggests that critical areas are Besiktas, Bebek, Kandilli, Kanlica, Yeniköy,Beykoz and Sariyer. The Montreux Convention relating to freedom of passage and navigation establishes and regulates the regime with certain formalities for a merchant and naval vessel since 1936. The Strait is kept open for shipping traffic day and night, and serves as an international waterway of commercial importance. Turkish Government has taken constructive steps forward to enhance navigation and environmental safety in the Region, the Strait of Istanbul inclusive, by implementing maritime traffic regulations and setting VTMIS which is fully operational since mid-2003. So far, the outcome is promising, and the annual rate of casualty has decreased significantly. However, it is too early to judge how far the VTMIS has been effective in achieving the ultimate goal.

Keywords: Strait of Istanbul, Vessel Traffic and Information System (VTMIS), shipping casualty, shipping traffic,Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS)

INVESTIGATIONS ON THE SEDIMENT OF LAKE VAN II. HEAVY METALS, SULFUR, HYDROGEN SULFIDE AND THIOSULFURIC ACID S-(2-AMINO ETHYL ESTER) CONTENTS

Investigations on the sediment of Lake VAN II. Heavy metals, sulfur, hydrogen sulfide and thiosulfuric acid S-(2-amino ethyl ester) contents

B. Öztürk, N. Balkis, K.C. Güven, A. Aksu, M. Görgün, S.Ünlü, N. Hanilci

Istanbul University, Faculty of Fisheries, Ordu Cad. No : 200, Laleli, Istanbul, TURKEY
Istanbul University, Institute of Marine Sciences and Management,Müsküle Sok. 1, Vefa, Istanbul, TURKEY
Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) Beykoz, Istanbul, TURKEY
Istanbul University, Engineering Faculty, Dept. of Geology, Avcilar, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd and Cr contents were determined by AAS in sediment of Lake Van. Cadmium and nickel levels were found high. The sulfur forms were detected as precipitated, octa-sulfur and 1,2,3,5,6 pentathiepane by GC/MS. Thiosulfuric acid S –(2 – amino ethyl ester) was detected first time in sediment by GC/MS analysis. This compound was also found in algae by our labroratory. The origin was probably due to marine organisms. Hidrogen sulfide content was determined in Van Lake sediments 265.2 – 639.2 µg/g.

Keywords: Lake Van, metals, sulfur forms, thiosulfuric acid S –(2 – amino ethyl ester), hydrogen sulfide

CHECK-LIST OF THE FRESHWATER ALGAE OF TURKEY

Check-list of the freshwater algae of Turkey

Veysel Aysel

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Biology Department, Çanakkale, TURKEY

Abstract

The freshwater algae of the lakes, dam lakes, streams, brooks, puddles, thermal springs, marshes of Turkey based on literature records are listed in this study. 179 studies have been carried out by different workers, in which 2030 taxa were identified [(354 Cyanophyceae, 159 Euglonidea, 24 Dinophyceae, one (I) Bangiophyceae, five (5) Florideophyceae, 378 Chlorophyceae, one (I) Pleurastrophyceae, seven (7) Charophyceae stricto sensu, eight (8) Euphyceae, 266 Conjugophyceae, five (5) Cryptista, two (2) Fucophyceae, 25 Xanthophyceae, nine (9) Chrysophyceae, four (4) Synurophyceae, 63 Coscinodiscophyceae, 101 Fragilariophyceae, 617 Bacillariophyceae and one (1) Bicoecea]. 18 taxa were given as new record for the freshwater algal flora of Turkey.

Keywords: Algae, freshwater, Turkey