Vol.9 – 2003 – No.3 – Journal of the Black Sea / Mediterranean Environment

THE STRAIT OF ISTANBUL (BOSPHORUS) : THE SEAWAY SEPARATING THE CONTINENTS WITH ITS DENSE SHIPPING TRAFFIC

The Strait of Istanbul (Bosphorus) : The seaway separating the continents with its dense shipping traffic

Necmettin Akten

Istanbul University, Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, 34116 Vefa, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

The Strait of Istanbul connecting the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, is one of the major trade artery in the World with an average of 132 transits a day, second to the Straits of Malacca. The Montreux Convention of 1936 relating to the regime of the Turkish Straits establishes freedom of passage and navigation with certain formalities for merchant vessels of any flag and with any kind of cargo, by day and by night, and the Strait is kept open for shipping traffic. Hence the Bosphorus serves as an international seaway of economic and strategic importance. Due to angular windings transit shopping either way, requires at least 12 major course alterations as much as 80°, with severely limited vision around these bends. Geographical and oceanographic conditions as well as navigational constraints are the main parametres making the navigation through difficult and risky. Additionally, since passage through the Strait, entails a run by about 17 nautical miles all the way and takes almost two hours, utmost vigilance is necessary in order to maintain safe standards of navigation and to conduct vessels. ‘ Turkey introduced the traffic separation schemes, in full compliance with the Rule 10 of the ColRegs 72, in the Turkish Straits Region, the Strait of Istanbul inclusive, to enhance safety of navigation. The new schemes have been in use since 01 July 1994. One of the contemporary safety measures that Turkish Republic has taken recently is to install the use of the VTMIS, Vessel Traffic Management and Information System. The System based on 7 radar stations is fully operational as from 01 July 2003. A The Strait faces dense shipping transits. Mean figure to cover 1994-2002 period indicates that 132 vessels a day navigate the Bosphorus. Taking 1936 figure as the basis, shipping traffic has increased by almost ten times. The Strait faced 461 marine casualties of different types – i.e 209 collisions, 138 groundings, 77 strandings, 28 fires / explosions and 9 others (such as rudder blockade, vessel’s list, or engine breakdown) – in 1953-2002 period. Safe navigation in the Bosphorus is a matter of vital importance to Turkey as well as to all nations using the Strait. Therefore, the dangers posed by ever increasing shipping traffic to the surrounding inhabited areas and to the environment have compelled Turkey to take immediate action and to reinforce existing regulations of maritime traffic in the Strait.

Keywords: The Strait of Istanbul, Montreux Convention, seaway, Vessel Traffic System (VTS), casualty, shipping traffic, current, Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS ), grounding, stranding

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE CHORION AND ITS MICROPYLE APPARATUS IN THE MATURE DISCUS (SYMPHYSODON SPP.) EGGS

Ultrastructure of the chorion and its micropyle apparatus in the mature discus (Symphysodon spp.) eggs

Esra Savas, Metin Timur

Istanbul University, Faculty of Aquatic Products, Laleli 34470 Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

The surface ultrastructure of discus (Symphysodon spp.) eggs was investigated by a scanning electron microscopy technique. The telolecital, oval and pale yellow colored mature discus eggs were possessed a micropyle and consisted of relatively smooth-sided, funnel-shaped vestibule at the bottom. The outer surface of the eggs were covered with pile of short fibrils.

Keywords: Ultrastructure, chorion, micropyle, Symphysodon spp.

THE POLLUTION OF ZEYTINBURNU PORT, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

The pollution of Zeytinburnu Port, Istanbul, Turkey

Kasim Cemal Guven, Nuray Balkis, Kartal Çetintürk, Erdogan Okus

Istanbul University, Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Vefa 34116 Vefa, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

The pollutants of sediment of Zeytinburnu Port were determined. The pollutant amounts were found high for organic as oil (3.8 mg/g), chlorined pestisides (9.55 ng/g), phenol and anorganic as Zinc, hydrogen sulphide, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate. The degradation products of DDT were determined as DDE and DDD. According to these results Zeytinburnu Port is a highly polluted area.

Keywords: Pollution, Zeytinburnu Port

THE AMPHIPOD (CRUSTACEA) SPECIES AT THE COASTS OF BOZCAADA ISLAND (NE AEGEAN SEA)

The Amphipod (Crustacea) Species at the Coasts of Bozcaada Island (NE Aegean Sea)

Herdem Aslan, Hüsamettin Balkis

Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology 34118 Vezneciler, Istanbul-Turkey.

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine amphipod species of Bozcaada Island (NE Aegean Sea) and some ecological features within their habitat. Samples were collected from 32 stations, situated at the depth of 0.5-35 m by dredge, drift net, bottom trawl and scoop net during 2000- 2001 years. In the investigation 46 amphipod species belonging to 16 families were determined. Microdeutopus similis Myers, 1977 was reported for the first time from the entire Turkish Seas. Moreover, Apherusa mediterranea Chevreux, 1911 was a new record for the Aegean Sea coasts of Turkey.

Keywords: Amphipod, Bozcaada Island, Aegean Sea

DISTRIBUTION OF PARASITE FAUNA OF CHUB MACKEREL IN AEGEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Distribution of parasite fauna of chub mackerel in Aegean and Mediterranean Sea

Ahmet Akmirza

Istanbul University, Faculty of Aquatic Products, Laleli 34470 Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

This investigation was carried out near Gökçeada (Aegean Sea) and Antalya (Mediterranean) between May 2000-September 2000 , to search for the parasite fauna of Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus (Houttyn, 1780)). A total 232 Chub Mackerel were caught. 9 parasite species, 4 belonging to ectoparasites, 5 to endoparasites, were found near Gökçeada. 5 parasite species, 2 belonging to ectoparasites, 3 to endoparasites, were found near Antalya. The parasites found were Myxobolus sp. (Myxosporae), Octosoma scombri (Monogea), Ectenurus lepidus, Opechona ollsoni, Lepidopedon elongatum (Digenea), Anisakis simplex, Contracaecum aduncum (Nematoda), Lernaea sp. , Hatschekia sp. (Copepoda) near Gölçeada, Myxobolus sp., Octosoma scombri, Ectenurus lepidus, Lepidopedon elongatum, Anisakis simplex near Antalya.

Keywords: Chub mackerel, parasite, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean

CAFFEINE IN THE STREAM, WELL AND SEA WATER OF YALOVA, MARMARA SEA, TURKEY

Caffeine in the stream, well and sea water of Yalova, Marmara Sea, Turkey

Kasim Cemal Güven, Kartal Çetintürk

Istanbul University, Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, 34116- Vefa, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

Caffeine is a land-based pollutant. It was detected in Taşköprü stream, a well in Yalova city and Sea of Marmara. Caffeine is existed in the thea and metabolized after taken into human body in ratio of 99%. The source of caffeine in aquatic system is the unconsumed thea discharged to the stream and sea. This is the main cause for the poIIution of environment. Its identification in marine indicates anthropogenic inputs.

Keywords: Caffeine, stream, well, seawater, Yalova, Marmara Sea