Black Sea Eutrophication Comparative Analysis of Intensity between Coastal and Offshore Waters

Luminita Lazar (), Oana Vlas, Elena Pantea, Laura Boicenco, Oana Marin, Valeria Abaza, Adrian Filimon and Elena Bisinicu ()
Additional contact information
Luminita Lazar: Chemical Oceanography and Marine Pollution Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania
Oana Vlas: Ecology and Marine Biology Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania
Elena Pantea: Ecology and Marine Biology Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania
Laura Boicenco: National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania
Oana Marin: Ecology and Marine Biology Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania
Valeria Abaza: Ecology and Marine Biology Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania
Adrian Filimon: Ecology and Marine Biology Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania
Elena Bisinicu: Ecology and Marine Biology Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-36

Abstract: Eutrophication, driven by excessive nutrient enrichment from sources like agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and urbanisation, has severely impacted the Black Sea since the 1980s. This study aimed to assess eutrophication dynamics in the Romanian Exclusive Economic Zone from 2020 to 2022 using the Black Sea Eutrophication Assessment Tool (BEAST), an integrated approach to the causes and effects of eutrophication. Data were collected from 68 stations during five oceanographic expeditions, analysing 617 water samples for nutrients, chlorophyll a , zooplankton species Noctiluca scintillans , and dissolved oxygen. Additionally, 179 zoobenthic and 251 phytobenthic community samples were collected. The results indicate that coastal waters exhibit higher nutrient levels and algal blooms compared to offshore waters, necessitating significant reductions in nutrient concentrations to achieve good environmental status. In transitional waters, within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, a 55% reduction in inorganic phosphorus and a 43% reduction in inorganic nitrogen concentrations are required, while coastal waters need reductions of 38% and 37%, respectively. The study highlights the need for improved wastewater treatment, stricter agricultural runoff controls, and continuous monitoring. Effective ecosystem-based management strategies, integrated coastal zone management, and international cooperation are essential to mitigate eutrophication and promote the long-term health of the Black Sea ecosystem.

Keywords: eutrophication; Black Sea; BEAST; nutrients; chlorophyll; macroalgae; zooplankton; Noctiluca scintillans; macrozoobenthos (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/12/5146/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/12/5146/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:5146-:d:1416474

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().