Oxygenated Water Boundary in the Black Sea Recedes to 100 Meters

During a workshop held under the BIOBLACK Project conducted by the Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Marine Sciences, it was announced that the oxygenated water mass boundary in the Black Sea has receded from 200 meters to 100 meters as a result of global warming and human pressure.

BIOBLACK Project Workshop Held

Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Marine Sciences held a workshop within the framework of the European Union-backed BIOBLACK Project in order to protect the biological wealth of the Black Sea. Ecosystem studies in the region were discussed at the event, which was attended by partners from Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania.

During the workshop, topics such as collaborations to be carried out for the protection of the marine ecosystem, joint projects, and the monitoring of alien species were discussed in detail.

Oxygenated Water Boundary is Receding

KTU Faculty of Marine Sciences faculty member Prof. Dr. Coşkun Erüz stated that sea water temperatures in the Black Sea are increasing rapidly due to global warming, and this situation threatens the ecosystem.

Stating that evaporation and increased salinity have altered the interaction between layers, Erüz emphasized that oxygen-rich waters, which previously extended down to a depth of 200 meters, have receded to 100 meters in places.

Human Pressure Challenges Living Organisms

It was noted that human-induced pressures such as overfishing and pollution significantly challenge the survival chances of living organisms in the ecosystem. Experts stated that countries must bring the entry of inorganic pollutants into the sea under control.

New Mobile Application Developed

It was announced that a digital step has been taken to monitor species in the sea and combat threat factors. Within the scope of the project, a special mobile application was developed to determine the distribution of endangered and alien species.