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Article

RETRACTED: Environmental Conditions and the Fish Stocks Situation in the Black Sea, between Climate Change, War, and Pollution

by
Victorita Radulescu
Hydraulics, Hydraulic Machinery and Environmental Engineering Department, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Water 2023, 15(6), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15061012
Submission received: 10 January 2023 / Revised: 22 February 2023 / Accepted: 2 March 2023 / Published: 7 March 2023 / Retracted: 20 August 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture)

Abstract

:
Climate change, pollution, capture, invasive species, and the war from Ukraine have a significant impact on the environment and fish populations in the Black Sea. In June last year, on the Romanian and Bulgarian seashore, large amounts of algae, dead fish, and jellyfish were discovered. The ongoing depletion of fish stocks necessitates extensive research, concerning their living conditions, reproduction, population, and migration. This paper starts by presenting the environmental conditions for air, sediment, and water up to 60 m, based on direct monitoring and measurements realized between 2014 and 2020. The recent war has affected the environmental conditions of the sea, especially near Snake Island and Crimea Peninsula, well known for fish reproduction. A dedicated paragraph presents the sources of water pollution, with direct effects on eutrophication, fish reproduction, and their populations. The appearance and development of some invasive species, which influence the local fish populations, are also illustrated. All these new factors associated with the capture quotas are responsible for decreasing the number of fish species and their populations in the Black Sea. Finally, some discussions are mentioned, which are necessary to be followed in order to restore the fish stocks.

1. Introduction

With an area of 461,000 km2 and a volume of 540,000 km3, the Black Sea is considered deep, with a maximum depth of 2212 m. Its characteristics make it unique in Europe [1], being practically a closed sea, communicating only with the Sea of Azov in the north through the Kerch Strait, and with the Mediterranean Sea to the southwest via the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits [2]. Compared with other seas, the Black Sea has distinct natural conditions, with a stratified structure of water composition. Unlike anoxic deep water, surface water is rich in oxygen and nutrients. There is practically no exchange of substances between these two layers, affecting the diversity of living organisms, being lower in species and number than in the Mediterranean Sea [3,4]. The shallow surface layer has medium–high salinity. It has decreased significantly in recent decades due to a large influx of fresh water from large rivers such as the Danube, Dnieper, Dniester, and Don.
The Black Sea has strategic and political influence, representing the east border of the EU (European Union) and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization Alliance). Bounded to the west by two EU member states, Romania and Bulgaria, and in the rest by four non-EU states, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey, the Black Sea became a conflict zone due to the Russia–Ukraine war. Three of these countries are also NATO members: Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania [5,6]. The Black Sea is important for Russia because it represents a direct connection with the Mediterranean Sea and, further, with the Atlantic Ocean. It ensures the transport of goods from Russia to the rest of the world throughout the year. The war affects life in the Black Sea. The pipeline Turck Stream, with the protocol signed in 2016, started its first deliveries through Turkey to Bulgaria in 2020, and the Blue Stream pipelines (protocol signed in 2002), with its first deliveries achieved in 2003 to Turkey, connect Russia with other countries through the Black Sea [7,8]. These pipelines, due to their recorded accidents, have affected the environment in these areas.
To maintain the environment and the living conditions of the Black Sea, all states surrounding the Black Sea must respect the signed protocols for good neighborliness. The actual Convention consists of four protocols: the Protocol on the Protection of the Black Sea Marine Environment Against Pollution from Land-Based Sources (LBS Protocol), the Protocol on the Protection of the Black Sea Marine Environment Against Pollution by Dumping, the Protocol on Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Black Sea Marine Environment by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Emergency Situations, and The Black Sea Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation Protocol (CBD Protocol) [9,10,11].
Unfortunately, the Black Sea is nowadays the most polluted sea in Europe. Among the principal causes, a few are be mentioned below:
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Uncontrolled spills of oil and residual substances from shipyards and ports;
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Nitrite and nitrate compounds transported by rivers from agricultural lands;
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Bottles and plastic bags, deposited garbage near the seashore;
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Effects induced by war over various environmental aspects: the air, sediments, and water;
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Different substances are discharged, due to the improper functioning of sewage treatment plants placed near the maritime coasts [12,13,14,15].
This paper analyzes the principal sources of pollution and their effects on the ecosystem, and fish development and distribution in the medium and long term. Up to 10–15 years ago, the sea was teeming with life, including birds, specific vegetation, shell and mussel, fish, and mammals, such as dolphins and seals. This marine ecosystem is more complex than other seas due to its specific structure. Its protection is more difficult for scientists [16,17]. The salty waters, from the Bosphorus Strait, go to the bottom of the sea, while fresh water from the main rivers, containing agricultural fertilizer and sewage runoff, remains at the surface.
In the warm season, these substances cause a rapid and excessive bloom. They affect the oxygen concentration in the water, with a high impact on the entire ecosystem. The lack of mixing between these two layers of water, of which nearly 90% is oxygen-depleted, limits the number of marine species that live in the Black Sea. Bacteria consume the organic matter from this oxygen-free environment (dead plants or fish), producing hydrogen sulfide—H2S [18,19]. The Black Sea is nowadays the largest H2S reserve in the world, necessitating permanent monitoring. The implemented environmental regulations are inefficient without constant surveillance.
Other problems refer to the current economic and political conditions in the area. The large sturgeon populations in the beginning of the 20th century put black roe on the tables of each fisherman working in the Black Sea.
Nowadays, excessive fishing and increased maritime transport have produced the extinction of four of the seven species of sturgeon found once in the Black Sea. The cliffs from the Crimea Peninsula provided, not long ago, a safe refuge for fish, birds, and marine mammals. After the fights of 2014 and due to the mine explosions from last year, associated with the increased transport of commercial ships, many fish and marine mammals retreated to the rock habitats in Bulgaria and Turkey [20]. However, another issue has appeared. The intense development of tourist resorts in both countries in these areas has reduced these habitats even more. Anchovy stocks, once the main catch in the sea, have been massively reduced in the last two decades [21]. Recent hostilities from Ukraine have stopped previous efforts to repopulate some species. Currently, around the Crimean peninsula, 20 km offshore, are Russian waters, where no one knows if the international rules regarding environmental protection, marine life conditions, and fish quotas are respected. The increased Russian and NATO naval exercises have restricted some areas of the Black Sea to civil traffic, including the scientific teams that conduct environmental monitoring and surveillance of marine life. Under these conditions, the most recent data recorded and used in this paper were recorded at the end of 2020.
As tensions rose, the military ships’ utilization of sonar harmed fish migrations the most. Many species have changed their traditional spawning route, especially near the Ukrainian ports of Odessa and Mykolaiv. Military equipment affects fish life, causing them to leave their usual nesting or foraging areas. Because they can no longer locate the proper places, they have difficulty securing their food and habitat. Last year, many of these animals died near the shore. The worst part is that the environmental monitoring of water quality and living conditions can no longer be realized in many areas.
The paper analyzes, in the beginning, the principal causes that have affected the Black Sea ecosystem in the last years, based on the systematic measurements and monitoring realized between 2014 and 2020. The explosive growths of algae in the northern part of the Black Sea, and invasive species of marine fauna, affect the local fish stocks. A few causes affecting endangered fish species are illustrated, based on the recorded measurements for the sediment structure and composition, water quality, and fish captures. A special paragraph is dedicated to some threatened species currently on the verge of extinction if urgent measures to protect them or their living and reproduction zones are not taken.
Some measures are proposed for protecting the environment, based on these observations and measurements, as well as the surveillance of fishing quotas, for saving endangered species, and for the restoration of the fish stock, at least in those areas without military exercises that affect wildlife living conditions.
The presented results were mostly obtained through direct measurements collected from 2014 to 2020. In 2020, I was part of a research team that collected samples of sediments, water, and biological structure, from the Black Sea. The rest of the data present, by comparison from the previous period 2014–2020, other recorded values, used in order to analyze the evolution of these significant parameters. Some data are reported by other countries, to the Black Sea Commission—BSC.

2. Materials and Methods

The Romanian Black Sea coastline is 245 km long, from Musura Bay, with the border with Ukraine in the north and the Bulgarian border to the south. Two commercial ports, Tulcea and Constanta, and two shipyards, Mangalia and Navodari, are in this area. The ports are well-known for maritime traffic, due to the Danube–Black Sea channel, which allows the quick transport of different merchandise. These ports were overcrowded last year due to the high volume of ships carrying cereals, oil, and other products from Ukraine to the rest of Europe. The shipyards, also known for the production of commercial ships and their repair, were in great demand last year.
A special observation should be made for this area. Many small earthquakes have been recorded recently near the border with Bulgaria. The most recent and significant was in April 2020, with a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter scale. After that, some small deep currents of fresh water appeared, with a small flow rate but a continuous one. In time, they modified the seashore, causing coastal erosion, with collapsed cliffs.
Besides these natural factors, new problems have arisen due to industrial development. Commercial transport, much more intensive in the last year, affects the environmental conditions. Some invasive species from the Mediterranean Sea have colonized the Black Sea and affect the local fauna. Water eutrophication, associated with massive fish catches, mainly by the Turkish, Georgian, and Russian vessels, influences the fish population, which has decreased significantly in the last few years. In addition, the war also perturbs marine life and the environment.
Some responsible factors will be next investigated. The main, specific fish characteristics of the Black Sea that have been affected by these new conditions will also be presented.

2.1. Main Causes of the Environmental Degradation

Climate change and human activity have a major impact on the marine ecosystem. The large-scale eutrophication of water due to nutrients brought by rivers, the infiltration of oil residues, and waste from human or industrial activities, has produced microbiological and chemical contamination in the water, sediments, and even air. They create significant risks not only for the health of coastal residents but also for the entire environment. To assure good living conditions for people and the marine ecosystem, we must first analyze each responsible factor, starting with air quality, sediment characteristics, and especially the water parameters. The principal sources of pollution, including effects induced by massive nutrient discharge, ports’ activities, municipal waste production, and intensive maritime transport, are all responsible for the actual situation in the Black Sea. All these factors impact the biological diversity, trophic chains, appearance and development of non-indigenous species, and finally, endemic fish and crustacean stocks. A brief presentation of the main fish species is also illustrated. Many of them are nowadays on the red list as endangered species.

2.1.1. The Air Quality

Based on the Black Sea Collaboration Agreement implementation, riparian states constantly monitor air and water quality. Figure 1a,b illustrates the number of monitoring vessels and the measuring points by country, according to the last report of the Black Sea Commission [22].
Air pollution is caused by natural, industrial, or different local factors, such as:
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Natural sources: volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, rock erosion, pollen scattering;
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Anthropogenic sources, such as industrial activities, thermoelectric power plants, or car traffic;
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Recently, other factors were associated, such as bomb explosions, the presence of many battle vessels, bomb explosions, etc.
Generally, dust, industrial gases, or the unpleasant odors of rotting products or waste are the primary causes of air pollution. Sizes of the dust particles or residual gas elements from economic activities are also important parameters. Mainly, the concentrations of SO2 and NO2 in port areas determine air pollution. The dust concentration in cities refers to the suspended particles PM 10 (Particulate matter 10 μm) and PM 2.5. Excessive concentrations have an impact on the environment.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide, NOx (nitrogen oxides), solid lead, benzene, carbon monoxide, ozone, arsenic, Cd, Hg, and Ni are the main monitoring parameters of air quality. On the Romanian coast, five fixed stations monitor air parameters, such as CO, benzene, PM 10, SO2, NOx, As, PM 2.5, Cd, NO2, and Ni levels in the areas of Tulcea, Navodari, Mamaia, Constanta, and Mangalia. The direction and intensity of the wind, air temperature, and precipitation play important roles in the transmission of particles that can pollute the Black Sea. The recorded values are used to create databases that are registered hourly, and reported daily or monthly. Based on them, the risk areas are determined.
In the chapter Results, the month of May 2020 is mentioned, as an example of the measured values for wind direction, air temperature, and amount of precipitation. Heavy metal particles (HM), Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), Cd, Pb, Hg, and benzopyrene-B(a)P levels were measured during 2015–2020. For the year 2021, no more centralized databases have been created. In the Results chapter, some obtained results obtained up to 2020, which are associated with some remarks based on the performed measurements, are illustrated.

2.1.2. Pollutants in the Bottom Sediments

The Black Sea’s unique characteristics make it vulnerable to environmental conditions. The almost complete absence of tides prevents the dilution of contaminants, favoring the natural phenomenon of sedimentation. The movement of water masses between the Black Sea’s two main layers is almost absent. European legislation establishes environmental quality standards only for contaminants in seawater and biota. There are no established threshold values for sediments. On the Romanian coast, systematic measurements are realized at different depths and locations to prevent sediment pollution. Each sample is measured and analyzed optically, physically, and chemically.

Content of PAH—Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon

In recent decades, there has been a focus on the content of PAHs and heavy metals. According to the Black Sea Commission (BSC) analysis, seabed sediments can be classified into three categories based on the Total PAH-TPAH content:
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Slightly polluted: TPAH < 250 g/kg;
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Polluted: TPAH = 250–500 g/kg;
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Highly polluted: TPAH > 500 g/kg.
The degree is calculated as the ratio of “technical-Fl” PAH from industrial and human activities and “natural-Fy” PAH. The PAH analysis from Romania, 2020, reveals the presence of 11 dangerous organic contaminants in marine sediments: naphthalene, acenaphthylene, fluorene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, and chrysene. The Results chapter also illustrates the reported values for 2020, from Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, at three time intervals: May, June, and July. For the Romanian coast, the total content of the 11 PAHs (μg/kg) found in sediments is also mentioned.
According to the BSC regulations, the following sources of emissions in the environment are estimated:
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If the ratio Fl/(Fl + Fy) < 0.4, pollution is of petroleum origin;
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Values 0.4–0.5, pollution caused by combustion products of liquid fuel or oil;
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Values > 0.5 indicate pollution caused by the combustion of coal or wood.
Sediment samples were processed according to internal standards. An accelerated solvent was used on the pressure extraction unit (PLE) with a mixture of hexane/dichloromethane/methanol (60%/20%/20%) in the chemistry laboratory of the University Politehnica of Bucharest. In the laboratory in Bulgaria, hexane: acetone in a ratio of 1:1 v/v was used in the microwave. Sulfur was removed with activated copper. The extraction was followed by purification, which was performed on the florisil segment when using organochlorine pesticides (OCP); polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were utilized in the silica/alumina segment for polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The concentration of components was achieved using the Kuderna-Denish concentrator in Romania, a rotary evaporator with nitrogen flow. In Bulgaria, using a silica gel structure, the concentration was achieved in a turbo-evaporator with nitrogen flow.
Persistent organic pollutants were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). In Romania, the electron capture detection method (GC-ECD) was used for OCPs and PCB, and the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was used for PAH.

Content of Heavy Metal (HM)

Sediments with finer organic content tend to accumulate higher concentrations of HM than coarse sediments. The accumulation of fine and polluting particles is facilitated in deep marine areas, whereas coarse-grained particles dominate in coastal zones. The spatial distribution of HM concentrations in sediments revealed an increasing gradient for some elements in the western part of the Black Sea, with the exceptions of Pb and Ni. The chapter, dedicated to the obtained results, presents a comparison between the values recorded for HM in 2014 with those from 2020. The strong correlation between these elements, particularly for Cu, Cr, and Al, confirms the influence of the mineralogical and granulometric properties of the sediments.
Except for Ni, the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr measured in the sediments of the Romanian coast were below the sediment quality standards. Higher concentrations were found near the Danube delta and the ports of Constanta and Mangalia. HM concentrations are low in the central and southern tourist areas. Based on the last report of BSC, in Georgia, the average concentration of Fe decreases by 7.5–4% in the south but remains constant in the rest of the country, at 14.5–8.3%. The Mn is evenly distributed at 0.25–0.35% values. The Chorokhi River brings in sediments polluted with mining minerals, causing an accumulation of Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, and As near Batumi and Gonio. There are no regulations in Ukraine for bottom sediments. The estimates were developed using EU-funded programs. In 2017, for Georgia, the highest concentrations were found: Zn—10 μg/g, and Cr—78 μg/g.
In 2017, the absolute concentrations of heavy metals decreased in the following order: Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Pb > Co > As > Cd > Hg; for 2020, there was the following order: Zn > Cr > Cu > Ar > Ni > Co > Pb > Cd > Hg. Any value measured in 2020 for Cd and Zn exceeded the allowed values of 1.2 μg/g for Cd and 150 μg/g for Zn. The percentage of samples with concentrations higher than the accepted thresholds ranged from 6% for Pb and Hg to 16% for Cr, 56% for Cu, and 90% for Ni. Compared with the 2015 measurements, the Ni level frequently exceeds the value of 20.9 μg/g. The BSC admits that the natural level of Ni in Black Sea sediments is higher than the values admitted for other seas.

2.2. Sources of Seawater Pollution

The Black Sea receives freshwater from main rivers such as the Danube, Dnieper, and Dniester from the northwestern area. Because 87% of seawater is anoxic, it is vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, due to its large catchment area and limited connections to other seas. Each year, roughly one-third of the continental runoff freshwater, about 350 km3/year, flows into the Black Sea. The changes in its ecosystem clearly show it is vulnerable to anthropogenic effects. Some issues must be studied:
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Biodiversity losses due to pollution, invasive species, and habitat destruction;
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Pollution from land and discharged wastewater;
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Overexploitation of marine resources, with a direct impact in the extinction of some fish species or with a massive decrease of their stocks. Overfishing, coastal industrial and tourist development, and heavy maritime traffic have all contributed to the marine resources decline.
The main causes of the Black Sea pollution are derived from the land, or are brought about by rivers, air or sediment pollution, and waste discharge. Based on an international program ongoing since 2002 in the Black Sea, 37 monitoring boats are present, with 11 permanently active in five-day cycles, and the rest participating in seasonal programs of monitoring and measurements. Water parameters are monitored for depths up to 1000 m; some can explore even up to 1500 m. Based on the measurements from 2020, the Results illustrate some of the principal causes of seawater pollution. Until now, researchers have not considered the effects of war; these will be estimated in time.

2.2.1. Nutritive Loads

Agriculture is the primary source of nutrients that reach the seawater. The Danube provides about 50% of nutrients in the Black Sea; the rest is supplied by the Ukrainian rivers Dnieper, Dniester, and Bug, the Turkish rivers, atmospheric nitrogen, and municipal and industrial discharges. In recent decades, EU member countries have implemented a new policy of reducing the quantities of fertilizer from agriculture, determined by the nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) ratios. Unfortunately, due to the widespread use of fertilizers in Ukraine and Russia, the western coastal waters remain high in dissolved inorganic and organic nitrogen, without any improvement. DIN (internationally recognized standard) mentioned that P-PO4 concentrations, on the other Black Sea coasts (S, NE, and N), are approximately three to four times lower than on the western coast. Nutrient inputs from sediments can contribute to progressive eutrophication. In the Results chapter, the nutrients discharged, based on the measurements from 2020, will be mentioned, with their effects on eutrophication. In 2019, 453 monitoring stations were installed in the Black Sea, with the majority in the western part.
The phosphate concentration in water reveals the role of phosphorus in the increased biological activity during the warm season. The phosphorus concentration is average at depths of 10–40 m; below, up to 50 m, it decreases, regardless of the season. Silicates are horizontally distributed. Their present average concentrations are lower than reported in the 1960s. Nitrate concentrations are lower than the 1990s average, but with high variability in the northwest region, due to the river input. Compared with other inorganic components, the nitrites have small spatial and seasonal variations. The trends from 2009 to 2019 showed an average increase, followed by a steady decrease until 2020. Ammonium levels are the highest in spring, and decrease when the flow rates of rivers increase, as well as during algal blooms. Except for phosphates, the nutrient concentrations in the Black Sea surface waters decreased between 2014 and 2020.

2.2.2. The Hydrological Balance in Seawater

The primary element affecting seawater quality is the hydrological balance. Annual and seasonal fluctuations of the water balance determine its physical–chemical characteristics. Water balance may be expressed as:
Q R + Q P + Q M + Q A Q E + Q L M + Q L A = Δ V / T
where QR—is the total rivers flow rate, QP—the amount of precipitation, QM—the flow rate that enters into the Black Sea through the Bosphorus Strait from the Sea of Marmara, QA—the flow rate from the Sea of Azov through the Kerchi Strait, QE—the flow rate lost due to the evaporation, QLM—the flow rate lost due to surface currents in the Seas of Marmara and Azov, and ∆V—changes in sea volume in time T (year or season). Equation (1) may be condensed to:
F + Q B + Q K = Δ V / T
Here, F = Q R + Q P Q E represents the freshwater balance, QB = QMQLM is the resultant water flow through the Bosporus Strait and QK = QAQLA is the result of the water flow through the Kerch Strait.
The precision of measurements affects the accuracy of the water volume estimation. 211 rivers flow into the Black Sea directly or via lagoons, according to the BSC Report. Geographically speaking, the flow rate of rivers from Romania, Crimea, Caucasus, Turkey, and Bulgaria represents the majority of tributary flow from rivers. A total of 58.5% of the Black Sea tributary flows arrive from the Danube, Dniester, and other rivers from the northwest. According to the previous measurements, it was observed that the average annual flow rate varies between 287–480 km3/year.
Unfortunately, there is no information on the river flow rates from Georgia and Turkey. The error in estimating the annual average of the tributary flow rates of rivers in the Black Sea is between 9.5–10% and about 3035 km3/year. The information about the tributary flow rates from Turkey and Caucasus, estimated as 355.6 km3/year, was received only for 2017–2019. The average annual water consumption is 29.6–39.6 km3/year or 8–11% of the average long-term runoff.
An important factor in the hydrological balance of the Black Sea is represented by atmospheric precipitation. Its volume is comparable to the tributary flows from the rivers. The results are obtained by measurements of seasonal and multi-annual precipitation, taken at coastal stations and in the open Black Sea. The minimum precipitation in the open sea area is in summer, when convective precipitation prevails, and the maximum is in autumn and at the beginning of winter, due to the increase of cyclonic activity and the intensification of the vertical convective air currents. The measurements show that regardless of the season, the southern part, the Anatolian coast, and the Caucasus region receive most of the precipitation. The average annual precipitation varies between 119 and 662 km3/year.
The hydrological balance must consider also the evaporation of the water. It is influenced by air humidity and water vapor pressure as a function of temperature, salinity, and wind speed. The total amount of evaporation was calculated by adding the losses from different locations. Unfortunately, there are not many stations for measuring wind speed, water temperature, surface water salinity, air temperature, and humidity in the north and east part of the Black Sea. The measurements recorded in 2020 show that the evaporation varies between 232 and 441 km3/year. The NW and NE regions of the Black Sea have the highest rates of evaporation.
As a result, river discharges and the amount of precipitation minus evaporation are mainly used to determine the water balance. From 2007, researchers observed the effects of climate change in the Black sea area. The balance of freshwater decreased by 67 km3/year, mainly due to a lack of precipitation. With little precipitation, the average annual evaporation rate increased in 2020 to 417 km3/year, varying by 38 km3/year compared with the previously recorded annual average rate.

2.2.3. Effects of Port Operations and Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants

Maritime Transport

The Black Sea has recorded a steady increase in maritime transport over the last ten years. The increased number and dimensions of ships produce increased pollution and perturb the environment. Figure 2a illustrates the travels through the Bosphorus Strait to the Mediterranean Sea in July 2017. Figure 2b,c illustrate, by comparison, the situation in the western part of the Black Sea, of the fishing and transport vessels in July 2018 and 2021. In 2021, they almost doubled. The meaning of the colors in each image is mentioned.
Starting in May 2022, the Romanian ports of Constanta, Mangalia, and Sulina have been over-congested. This is due to the war and the increased necessity of transporting cereals from Ukraine to the rest of Europe. After the bombing of the ports of Odessa and Mikolayv, the number of ships from Ukraine drastically decreased. Instead, the Kerch Strait was occupied by ships traveling from Russia to Turkey. Despite being in the most dangerous area of the Black Sea, last year, from Ukraine to Romania and Bulgaria, authorities recorded about 25,000 ship calls. The ecosystem and environment of the Black Sea are undoubtedly impacted by this intense maritime transport.

Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants

The wastewater released by municipal sewage treatment facilities, industrial activities, shipyards, and commercial ports represents another factor contributing to seawater pollution. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), lindane (HCH), heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and polychlorinated (PCB) 28, PCB 52, and PCB 101 are the chemical compounds found in wastewater. Concentrations of these contaminants frequently exceed the limits of a healthy ecosystem. Measurements in seawater must be made at three different depths: 0 m, 5 m, and 20 m. In Romania, starting with 2018, the total amount of hydrocarbons was 82–503 mg/L, values accepted by the BSC against pollution. This is a consequence of the rehabilitation of two major sewage stations. Some other chlorinated pesticides, such as heptachlor, cyclodiene pesticides (aldrin, dieldrin, endrin), and the HCH groups were, in Romania, under the recommended values. The concentrations for HCH = 0.0–7.18 ng/L, the cyclodiene group 0–2.4 ng/L, and heptachlor 0.0–6.07 ng/L varied in the northwest part of the Black Sea in 2019. These values are lower than those recorded in 2009–2012, before the rehabilitation of the sewage stations. The previously recorded values were, for the cyclodiene group, 0.0–63.95 ng/L, for heptachlor, 0.0–63 ng/L, and for HCH (lindane), 0.0–129 ng/L.

2.2.4. Oil Pollution

The ongoing growth in oil and gas production around the Caspian Sea has determined increased oil transportation in the Black Sea. When the war is finished, this trend would probably increase again. Oil pollution occurs when crude oil and petroleum products leak from tankers, offshore platforms, drilling rigs, wells, and pipelines or when ships such as ferries, tourist, military, or fishing ships discharge bunker fuel, waste oil, or bilge water. In these cases, the spills are mostly concentrated near the major ports or along the major shipping routes.
The worst oil pollution occurs when there are accidents with oil tankers, as was the case in 2005 and 2009, with two Turkish ships were damaged and partially sunk in their territorial waters. Unfortunately, in such accidents, the effects are felt across large surfaces and often for a quite long period. The ability to track accidents in real time has increased, due to the information received from satellites and drones. Between 2014 and 2016, oil spills were visible in about 50% of the radar images, and from 2017 to 2020, they were visible in 64% of cases. Nowadays, the Black Sea surface is permanently air-monitored, mainly due to the war. About 800 km2 surrounding the significant seeps is estimated as being completely exposed to the oil contamination. The effect of this poses a serious threat to the environment. Oil spills can travel up to 40–80 km when the wind blows. They endanger marine resources, contaminating the water and the beaches, and can last for months.

2.3. Current Situation of Fish Stocks in the Black Sea

The International Day of Action for the Black Sea is celebrated annually on 31 October. On this occasion, some actions are required for the entire area, including beach cleaning, and measurements concerning the air, water, and sediment quality. New major goals are set for better conditions for the locals, environment, and biosphere. Last year, the meeting was postponed until 2023 because of the war. The most recent scheduled objectives were related to measures aiming to reduce eutrophication, restore fish reproduction areas, improve compliance with fish catches, and survey invasive species.
The last international expedition was conducted in 2020, by an international team of scientists from Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, in the western part of the Black Sea.
As a member of the research team, we also collected 21 biological samples. The Black Sea sprat prefers colder waters and migrates irregularly. The variations in temperature produced by global warming have affected its population. Due to the war and heavy maritime traffic, it could not migrate in 2022 to the northeastern region, its preferred spawning area. A significant reduction in the migration distance was noticed via satellite monitoring. The Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea host a large population of whiting, a gregarious and demersal species. In spring, when the temperature reaches 7–8 °C, it approaches the shore, helped by the cold currents. When the water is 10–15 °C in summer, it prefers deep waters. Unfortunately, the whiting population suffered significantly in 2022 due to the heavy maritime traffic. In all areas of the Black Sea, the mullet can be found in coastal waters, at depths of 30–100 m, in areas with stony, sandy, or muddy bottoms. The war had a small impact on his development.
In the Black Sea, there are 198 species of fish, either native, invasive, or newly introduced. To analyze their dynamics, the next indicators were considered: catches, population structure, length and size at maturity, age, class structure, sex ratio, fecundity rates, survival or mortality rates, reproductive stocks, and genetic structure [22,23]. The most common species found in the Black Sea are next illustrated.
Pontic shad can be found in open sea and coastal areas, up to depths of 100 m. One of the most significant fish families in the world is the Clupeidae. The largest catches are reported in Sozopol, Cape Emin, and Varna. The Fauna Habitats Directive lists the most well-known anadromous fish species that are at being in danger of extinction. Alosa species are extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic changes, especially related to the access and quality of their breeding areas. Industrial and domestic pollution, water acidification, drainage, land use changes, river barriers, overfishing, the introduction of new species, and, recently, the conflict in the Crimean region are threats to these species. Overfishing during the migration period still remains the main threat. Based on the last BSC report from 2021, less than 1400 km2 comprises the space of the breeding areas. A preponderance of groups measuring 13.5–14 cm was observed, starting in 2014. It means that the majority are still young and sexually immature. This criterion estimates their status to be “unfavorable–unsatisfactory”.
The pelagic fish Engraulis encasicolus ponticus and Engraulis encasicolus maeoticus are the two most well-known anchovy species from the Black Sea. The migration of anchovies from the Mediterranean Sea through the Bosphorus Strait aids in maintaining differences between them. The Black Sea anchovy is longer and has a lower percentage of body fat. Less than 3% of the Black Sea’s anchovy population reaches the sexual maturity of one year, which is the age at which they begin to spawn. A steady annual harvest rate of roughly 60% of the total anchovy biomass is noted. In the last five years, fifteen scientific studies have been done to study their behavior, spawning grounds, migration, and wintering.
Fortunately, their fish eggs are laid in the southern Black Sea, where they can survive amid ongoing conflict. There is not a well-known annual route for the migration of anchovies. Depending on the velocity of the water currents, water temperature, or the maritime vessels’ routes, this can be modified. Last year, the anchovies’ route changed due to the increased maritime traffic through the Bosphorus. They passed Turkey and traveled directly to Georgia. As a result, Turkey’s anchovy catches were lower than usual. Anchovies 1–3 years old have lengths of 9–13.5 cm. Their dimensional structure and spatial distribution are currently considered to be in a “favorable” state.
The sprat, Sprattus sprattus, number in the Black Sea has risen quickly. The sprat biological mass was estimated in 2017 as being 277,720 t. Previously, in 2010 and 2011, the catches were generally low, but starting in 2012, they permanently increased. The length of young fish, of 0–4 years, varies between 4 and 12 cm. The dimensional structure and spatial distribution are currently estimated to be in a “favorable” state.
Scad, Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus, is a migratory species found throughout the entire Black Sea. Black horse mackerel is a subspecies of the mackerel from the Mediterranean Sea. They migrate in spring, unfortunately, to the conflict zones, for breeding and feeding. In autumn they go to the coasts of Anatolia and the Caucasus. They winter at depths of 20–90 m off the Crimean Peninsula and at 20–60 m in the Caucasus region. Horse mackerels range from 8 to 19 cm, but catches are generally between 12 and 16 cm. It is uniformly distributed in September and October, spending the day 7–12 m deep and 1–3 m above the bottom, and during the night it is located in the middle layer, at 5–10 m deep. Its current situation is considered to be “favorable”.
The Black Sea contains a large population of Atlantic Bonito, Sarda sarda, at depths of 80–200 m. For its proper living conditions, the water salinity must be 14–39% (g/L), and the temperature must be 12–27 °C. One of the top predators in the Black Sea, tuna fish has a significant economic impact, particularly on Turkish fisheries. The bonito population benefits from the average water temperature increase due to global warming. Compared with the period before 2000, nowadays, the spawning period is longer. It spends more time in the sea than it did before the year 2000, migrating in early spring and feeding on small pelagic fish, such as anchovies, horse mackerel, and sprat. Unfortunately, its number has decreased in the last period, mainly caused by the NW Black Sea pollution, the problems with the migration routes due to the commercial vessels, and intensive fishing from Georgia and Russia. Few mature individuals and almost no fish longer than 50 cm are recorded now in catches. It indicates that adults are not nowadays present in the Black Sea. Between 0 and 3 years it grows quickly, but its status is still “unfavorable”.
The turbot, Psetta maxima, lives at depths up to 100–140 m, can be found all over the Black Sea, and has a long lifespan. This species has decreased in numbers in the last years, being frequently caught by accident. Only 26 turbot specimens were caught in Bulgarian waters in the 2018 campaign. Their age was 2–7 years, with lengths of 26–70 cm. Its current status is “unfavorable unsatisfactory”.
Red mullet, Mullus barbatus, lives near Crimea and Caucasus. There are two types of mullets: migratory and colonized. The migratory mullet crosses the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov in spring, for breeding and spawning, and for winter it returns along the Crimean coast. The last year’s war perturbed his migration. The migrant form dominates the catches in Ukraine. The two subspecies, red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and striped mullet (Mullus surmuletus) have recently been the subject of some debates. Finally, these two subspecies were classified together. Generally, it stays at depths of 20–60 m, but its current status is still “unsatisfactory”.
Whiting is one of the most prevalent demersal fish in the Black Sea. Without extensive migrations, they spawn in its habitat during the colder months. The young whiting spends about a year in water up to 10 m deep. The adults prefer temperatures between 6 and 10 °C, from deep waters of 60–120 m. Fish under six years predominate, representing the commercial concentrations. The whiting is a by-catch, being rarely the target species for fishing. For ages up to 6 years, its length varies between 5.2 and 24.3 cm. Since its assessment is merely indicative, whiting catches cannot be estimated. Its state now is considered to be “favorable”.
The thornback ray, Raja clavata, known as the Black Sea Fox, is now in danger of extinction. It lives at the bottom of the sea, at about 300 m deep, but also it may be seen in shallower waters of 10–70 m. Water temperature and pollution are the main factors affecting its distribution. Catches are aged between 1 and 12 years. The adult males are 56–77 cm long and females about 62.3–79 cm. Unfortunately, its condition is still “critical”.
The spotted dogfish, Squalus acanthias, lives throughout the Black Sea, where the temperatures are 6.5–15 °C. It migrates in autumn to Caucasus, Crimea, and Anatolia, where there are abundant anchovies and black horse mackerel. It is a viviparous species that mainly breeds in Ukrainian waters, in the Karkinitsky Bay, Kerch Strait, and Feodosia Bay. It swims up to the coastal zone at depths of 10–30 m to give birth to the cubs, with an average of eight per female. The majority of specimens ranging from 1 to 14 years were 7–8 years, and of both sexes. Males and females are 82–88 cm in length at maturity. The reproductive biomass has significantly decreased in the last decades. Its current condition is “unsatisfactory”.

3. Results

Starting in 2014, some international expeditions were systematically organized, in order to monitor environmental parameters, water quality, and biological mass. In 2020, the last expedition was organized in the western part of the Black Sea, with researchers from Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Being part of this expedition, I could observe the methods of collecting physical, chemical, and biological samples. There were observed the medium-term effects of water pollution and the introduction of invasive species of jellyfish and aquatic plants. In the following, some results obtained from these measurements will be presented, and are also compared to the previous years of monitoring.

3.1. Air Monitoring and Air Pollution

The results obtained from the monitoring of the Romanian coast are mainly presented. Where I have the opportunity, I present also the results of measurements, or the data reported by other riparian states from this interval. Figure 3 illustrates such measurements for some environmental parameters. Such an example is illustrated, for March 2020, for the Romanian seashore, the wind direction, daily temperatures, and average precipitation. In Figure 3b, the maximum, minimum and average values of temperatures T (°C) are marked in red, and the relative humidity (RH) (%) is in blue. In Figure 3c, the values of the fallen precipitation (L/m2) and the amount of water lost through evaporation are represented. The remaining positive value of water, which will be accumulated in the sea, is marked in blue, and the one lost through evaporation is marked in gray. There are days when the entire amount of water falling (from dew, condensation, waves) is lost through evaporation, and this appears only in the columns marked with gray.
The heavy Metals (HM) and POP particles, such as Cd, Pb, Hg, and benzopyrene- B(a)P, were measured in the atmosphere from 2015 to 2020, based on emissions from Romania and neighboring countries. They were associated with precipitation, wind intensity, and direction. The increase in average temperature and concentration of atmospheric reactants produced an increase of B(a)P, recorded in the 2020 measurements. Cadmium deposition reached its peak in 2017. Figure 4 illustrates the recorded values. Larger concentrations of HM have been discovered in the western part of the Black Sea. The first figure presents the recorded values for Cd, Hg, and BaP (μg/g). For Pb, the measured values are multiplied by 100, as to be represented on the same graph. The second graph shows the values recorded in 2015–2020 as a percentage, compared to 2009, considered to be the reference year for measurements in the Black Sea. Then, systematic and automatic measurements began for most of the monitored parameters.

3.2. Characteristics of the Sediments

Table 1 displays the average recorded values of PAHs in the sediment measurements, realized in 2020, in Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, for three-time intervals: May, June, and July. As part of the research team, Table 2 illustrates the total content of the 11 PAHs (μg/kg) found in sediments of the Romanian coast in July 2020. Table 3 illustrates a comparison between the recorded values in 2014 and 2020, in order to see the appeared modifications. The strong correlation between Cu, Cr, and Al confirms their influence on the mineralogical and granulometric properties of the sediments.

3.3. Seawater Pollution, Characteristics, Nutrients, and Eutrophication

The samples from the depth were collected in 5 L Teflon Niskin bottles, attached to a Rosette System equipped with in situ fluorometer. We observed the distance from the surface, temperature, salinity, fluorescence, and the presence of deep-sea chlorophyll, as well as at 1 m above the depth of sample collection. In 2020, several monitoring campaigns were carried out. Three of them targeted the western Black Sea. Table 4 lists the principal sources of water pollution in all riparian countries based on previous and 2020 measurements. Regarding the content of nutrients that reach the water, agriculture is the principal source. As I presented in Section 2.2.1, unfortunately, the Danube provides approximately 50% of the nutrient content, the rest being supplied by the rest of the rivers, and by urban and industrial discharges. Although measures have been taken to reduce nitrates and phosphates in agriculture, Ukraine and Russia still maintain high concentrations, reflected in the seawater content. Table 5 illustrates the intakes of nutrients discharged into seawater by all riparian countries, where P-PO4—phosphate, TP—total phosphorus, and TN—total nitrates, N-NO3, or total nitrites, N-NO2.
Oil spills represent another significant source of water pollution. They appear from the shipyards, by accidents followed by the sinking of oil transport ships or leaks from oil transport pipelines. Figure 5a presents the existing two pipelines of oil transport, from the Black Sea, the Turk Stream and Blue Stream. The most serious accidents occurred in 2005 and 2009 in Turkish territorial waters. Figure 5b shows the distribution of oil spills, which have been monitored by drones in the Black Sea since 2020. It can be seen that oil product stains follow the routes traveled by oil tankers and submarine pipelines. The oil spills have an eastern direction. Unfortunately, not all states continuously monitor spills of petroleum products. From 2014 to 2020, measurements were made annually in the waters of Ukraine and Russia. In Romania, monthly monitoring is carried out from February to October, and in Turkey from May to June. For this period, there are only a few, sporadic data for Georgia and Bulgaria.
The concentration of phosphates and nitrates in water reveals their role in increasing biological activity during the warm season. Phosphorus concentration is average at depths of 10–40 m in the warm season and decreases to 50 m regardless of the season. Silicates tend to distribute horizontally. Not only agriculture contributes to the nutrients from the water. Another source is wastewater discharges from industry or the population. Starting 1980s, phytoplankton developed excessively, occupying larger surfaces, for a longer time. Figure 6 illustrates different images from different periods and countries. Figure 6a shows an image from Turkey in 2009 after the naval accident, and Figure 6b shows an image from Romania in 2012, which accumulated excessive phytoplankton due to high solar radiation. Figure 6c presents a 2018 image from satellites, and Figure 6d shows the aftermath of the naval accident in Ukraine in 2017. Eutrophication affects large surfaces with consequences on tourism and the environment. The water transparency is reduced, resulting in a depletion in oxygen content as a result of the organic matter decomposition. In this case, anoxia spreads more quickly in the deep sea.
The biological balance is disrupted by eutrophication, which transforms the Black Sea into a eutrophic one. Over 150 different types of phytoplankton have been identified over the last decades, with an impact on fish development.

3.4. Fish Situation

In 2020 saw the organization of the last international expeditions for monitoring the biological aspects of the Black Sea. In the July expedition, scientists from Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey monitored the western part of the Black Sea. As part of this expedition, I could observe the method of collecting the water, sediments, and biological samples. For the Romanian coastline, 21 biological samples were collected from the seabed and about two meters above it.

3.4.1. Fish Eggs Situation

For the fish eggs evaluation, the Bongo net type was dragged slowly and vertically through the water volume. The net was lifted into the deck. The organisms were gently washed with seawater. The size, shape, fat drop presence or absence, homogeneity, segmentation of the vitelline, and size of the perivitelline space were analyzed for determining qualitative and quantitative sample components.
The meristic, pigmentation, morphometric features, body shape, and anus position were examined for the larval stage. The results are expressed in individuals per cubic meter (ind/m3). By marking on the map the obtained values for fish eggs and juveniles, their spatial distribution was identified. Only 13 of the 21 samples examined have biological material indications.
Three species are predominant, quantitatively speaking: the sprat Sprattus sprattus, the whiting Merlangius merlangus, and the pontic Mullus barbatus (red mullet). Pelagic sprat migrates along the coast, between their spawning places and feeding zones. Unfortunately, the preferred breeding grounds are where there is conflict. At 95 m, sprat eggs were found in Romanian waters with a density of 0.164 ind/m3, and were also found at 90 m in Bulgaria, with a density of 0.144 ind/m3. With the highest density of 0.292 ind/m3, whiting eggs were found in three stations in Romanian waters, at depths ranging from 70 to 98 m, in two stations in Bulgaria at 85 m, with a maximum density of 0.122 ind/m3, and in one station in Turkey at 80 m, with density 0.130 ind/m3. In eight stations, the larval stage could be found, with the whiting species predominating. The maximum whiting density in the Romanian region was 0.148 ind/m3, at 70 m. Only mullet larvae with a maximum density of 0.250 ind/m3 at a depth of 52 m were found in Bulgaria, and were found in Turkey at 50 m, with a maximum density of 0.309 ind/m3. In 2021, only a few measurements were made, but it was determined that whiting had the highest fish larvae density, at 0.214 ind/m3, and mullet had a low density of 0.074 ind/m3. In the Turkey station, the density of fish larvae peaked at 0.292 ind/m3 for whiting, and has low values for mullet, of 0.037 ind/m3.

3.4.2. Fish Stocks and Catches

Bulgaria and Romania as part of the European Union—agreed to respect environmental protection laws and fishing quotas in the Black Sea. The rest of the riparian states do not respect the fishing quotas, even though all have signed the treaties relating to the Black Sea environment conservation [24,25]. Without any connection with the EU rules, Georgia, Russia, and Ukraine have their own, national rules referring to the fishing quotas. The 2019 catches are illustrated in Figure 7, with red being Turkey, blue being Ukraine, yellow being Russia, green being Georgia, and the rest of the colors being Romania and Bulgaria.
Pontic shad represents a significant catch for Turkey, yielding about 10,210 t/year. Between 2012 and 2019, mainly fish measuring 13.5–14 cm were captured. This shows that the majority are young and sexually immature, but older than one year. Due to intense fishing in Turkey, in 2016, they reported a record-breaking 120,708 t yield.
In Romanian shallower layers, between 10–35 m, the sprat biomass is nearly ten times higher than in deeper layers. The majority of the Bulgarian catches are under two years old, up to 8 cm, with the main concentrations in the northern regions of Kaliakra Shabla and Obzor Kamchia. In 2019, 12.3% of catches were 3 years old, 86.3% of the recorded catches were 1–2 years old, and the rest were 4–5 years old. In the eastern part of the Black Sea, there is a higher density of fish biomass.
In commercial catches, horse mackerel aged between 1 and 3 years typically dominate. Black horse mackerel catches decreased in 2019 to only 20,213.5 t. Turkish catches represent the majority, about 98.2%. Although tuna fish is present throughout the entire Black Sea, its number decresed significantly; since 2000, only Turkey and Bulgaria have recorded catches. Intensive fishing is recorded in Georgia and Russia. Around 18,640 t of bonito were caught by Turkish vessels in 2019, representing 85% of the total [26,27].
The turbot species has declined in the last few years, from 1035 t in 2007 to 486 t in 2017. Now is frequently caught by accident. About 38.5% of the total catches are fish smaller than 45 cm, and about 27.2% were between 44.5 and 53.5 cm. In Romania, the turbot majority catches are 21–81 cm and 2–7 years old. Between 30 and 50 m depth, larger catches were observed in Corbu-Sulina and Costinești-Vama Veche. The turbot biomass was estimated at 627.35 t in the 2020 report. According to the sex ratio, females outnumber males 54% to 43.5%, and juveniles represent 2.5%. The majority of individuals are four years old (31%), followed by three years (30%) and five years (15%).
The white mullet increased in number in other countries. In Turkey, mullet catches have significantly decreased in the last 15 years. Between 20 and 60 m depth, near the Emine cape, the maximum estimated biomass of mullet was 9241.40 t. Referring to the whiting, the age group with the highest prevalence is one year (78.4%), followed by two years (12.3%) and three years (4.2%). Since its assessment is merely indicative, whiting catches cannot be estimated. Sea fox males, with disc widths of 56–60 cm and weights of 1.23–3.82 kg, dominate the collected samples. The overfishing of spotted dogfish played a significant role in its decline over the past 20 years. The catches in Bulgaria increased recently, representing about 40% of the total catches.

3.4.3. Endangered Species

The utilization of destructive fishing methods, water eutrophication, invasive and exotic species, lack of regional cooperation regarding the fishing quotas, modification or destruction of habitats, and illegal fishing are the main threats to fish resources over the past 20 years. A cross-border issue of high priority in the Black Sea is the depletion of natural resources for fish stocks, affecting both the pelagic and anadromous fish, particularly mackerel, whiting, trout, and grayling. Figure 8 presents some species that are in danger of extinction.
The majority of fish stocks are overfished. Many of them are now on the verge of extinction. One of the most significant fish families in the world is the Clupeidae. Anadromous fish species are at risk and listed in the Bern Convention’s Fauna Habitats Directive of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Part of it is illustrated in Table 6 for species from the Black Sea. Less than 2000 km2 of its surface represents the remaining breeding areas. Turkey catches the highest quantity, reaching 10,210 t in 2019 alone. The IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has designated every mackerel species as vulnerable. High-caliber fish such as swordfish and tuna fish are practically extinct in Romania and Bulgaria.
Sturgeons, Figure 9, are affected by the same issues as anchovies and sprat. Nowadays, they are below the protection rate. No new sturgeon nurseries have been constructed, with no recovery of the spawning habitats in rivers or lagoons either. The sturgeon populations have significantly decreased, mainly in the last decades.
Due to many catches in the four non-EU states, the stocks of sprat, anchovies, horse mackerel, and mullet have significantly decreased. Sprat fishing in Turkey totaled 120,708 t in 2012, and horse mackerel fishing accounted for 98.7% of all fishing from the Black Sea. Stocks of horse mackerel are reduced and show no signs of recovery. Except for Bulgaria and Romania, the two EU states, no information is available regarding the quantities of the fished turbot, which usually stays at depths of 100–140 m. Due to their pelagic nature, the turbot eggs are kept in the upper layers of the sea and can be carried by currents far from the spawning areas. The horse mackerel and turbot spawn near the Crimean peninsula. The entire biomass resource from this region is in danger because of the conflict that started in 2014. Military operations have significantly reduced horse mackerel and turbot stocks in recent years. Stocks of whiting, thornback ray, and turbot are on the red list and in danger of being extinct in the Black Sea, due to heavy exploitation. The same issue is reported for the spotted dogfish. Unfortunately, only a few territorial waters have been designated as protected areas: 56% in Romania, 22% in Ukraine, 10% in Bulgaria, 4% in Georgia, and none in Turkey or Russia.

3.5. Invasive Species

Fish that are ecologically tolerant of changes in water temperature and salinity have either been artificially introduced or have migrated to the Black Sea from the Mediterranean and the Aegean Seas, in recent decades. Species that primarily resided in corals, such as the blunt barracuda, Sphyraena and Heniochus acuminate, have expanded their habitats [28,29]. These Lessepsian migratory fish species from the Aegean Sea arrived in the Black Sea, even though it is colder there. In the past three decades, 42 marine species have been unintentionally or intentionally introduced into the Black Sea. It is not known what their distribution is, exactly. The introduction of exotic species into the Black Sea is still a process that needs to be monitored at the national, regional, and international levels.
The rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and the salmon Salmo salar are two species deliberately introduced into Turkey, for commercial purposes. The annual production of sea trout is estimated at 2000 t, and of salmon it is estimated at 1500 t. When species intentionally introduced escape from cages where they are raised, there is a risk of hybridizing with the native species. It represents a problem. The fish known as Liza hematochezia, or Mugil soiuy, developed into a commercial species, and is now present in all of the Black Sea, Azov Sea, Marmara Sea coastal waters, and even the Mediterranean Sea. Its annual catches in the Black Sea exceed 10,000 t. Its population is currently stable and needs to be monitored. Sexual maturity is reached earlier than in native mullet species due to high growth rates. They compete with the halibut and turbot in coastal areas by feeding on zooplankton and tiny bottom organisms, primarily the meiobenthos. This has contributed to these two last species’ decline in the last decade. Additionally, this has resulted in the introduction of some specific parasites, discovered in mullet bodies, into the Black Sea. Systematic research is required to determine their effects on human health and biota.
From aquaculture, additional new species have been introduced. For instance, the mosquitofish Gambusia affinis, which consumes mosquito eggs and neuston larvae, has been introduced into wetlands throughout the Black Sea basin to fight malaria. Gambusia changed into an euryhaline species after adapting and reproducing. Now, it is dispersed across the entire Black Sea basin. Due to the lack of monitoring and information on these species, the effects of alien species are complicated and frequently unpredictable. The monitoring assured by the Black Sea riparian nations is crucial for knowing the consequences of recently introduced fish species.
The overdevelopment of some mollusks, such as Rapana venosa, of bivalve species, such as Mya arenaria and Anadara inaequivalvis, and gelatinous carnivorous species, such as Mnemiopsis leidyi and Beroe ovata, represents another issue. They grow in large populations, disturbing the ecosystem, with a significant impact on the pelagic and/or benthic food chains in the Black Sea.
Some Mediterranean species have migrated into the Black Sea, including sardines, bugea, and sea bream, as a result of recent climate change with the increase in water temperatures. Native endemic species are under pressure from the introduction of exotic species into the Black Sea. They seek refuge in estuaries, deltas, and brackish water regions. These species may affect the native species, representing a potential loss of ecological niches, particularly in rivers such as the Danube, Dnieper, Dniester, Kizilirmak, Yesilirmak, and Sakaya. Euryhaline and eurytherm species can grow more readily in the brackish water of the Black Sea.

4. Discussion

The total fish biomass has decreased to less than a third of its value from the late 1990s, due to overfishing. To reduce the risk of exotic species invasion, overfishing should be avoided for all endemic fish species. The Black Sea Environmental Commission is responsible for maintaining the regional database of new species, and is used to track and foresee threats against the Black Sea biodiversity.
Given the conflict from Ukraine, particularly in the Crimean peninsula region, it is important to know as to how much it affects the fish populations and biodiversity. The Black Sea ecosystem and water are, in fact, under many threats that require immediate attention. The most significant ones, though not the only ones, include pollution, heavy maritime traffic, especially in recent years, naval accidents, excessive or illegal fishing, poor local aquaculture, and invasive species.
Eutrophication, global warming, the Ukraine war, harmful substances, excessive pollution with nitrites and nitrates from agriculture, and municipal or industrial waste have all contributed to the decline of marine resources. The main responsible factors are:
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Hydro-technical constructions that destroy fish spawning and feeding habitats;
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Accelerated pollution of seawater due to discharges of wastewater, oil products, or overcrowded maritime transport, especially in the last year;
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The clogging and construction of dams in ports or civil coastal defense works affects the life of migratory fish;
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Excessive commercial fishing and utilization of non-selective fishing gears that allow for the capture of non-target species, some of them on the verge of extinction, produce increased fish catches beyond safe limits;
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Overfishing effects are amplified by illegal fishing;
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Exotic or invasive species amplify ecological disturbances in seawater and affect the food chain and fish behavior. Environmental conditions on the Romanian coast have allowed the formation and maintenance of large agglomerations of jellyfish;
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The fish migration routes have changed in the last 6–7 years; they tend to stay away from the coastal area. Small fish stay away from shallow areas, especially due to explosions, vibrations, and loud noises;
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Climate change has altered the ecological state of rivers, lagoons/harbors, and shelf areas, causing eutrophication and massive development of phytoplankton;
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Mass mortality of demersal species.
The factors which affect the Black Sea water quality are numerous; each one is difficult to assess. In the future, regional monitoring must be continued. Fish do not stay only in the territorial waters. They migrate from one state to another, so a disturbance, a point of pollution, or excessive fishing by a country affects the entire fish mass.

5. Conclusions

The paper illustrates the current situation in the Black Sea as an ecosystem, associated with the effects that pollution, war, and climate change have on the fish population. We have analyzed the environmental factors and the principal sources of pollution in the air, sediment, and, especially, seawater. The results obtained from the monitoring and collecting of sediment, water, and biological samples during the marine expeditions of recent years were illustrated. The main fish species were presented and, in parallel, the endangered species. Measures must be taken to reduce air pollution by using modern filtration systems, minimizing the nitrogen-based fertilizers in agriculture that produce water eutrophication, and avoiding water pollution with petroleum products from shipyards. By implementing these methods, the local fish populations can be revitalized, some with important economic value for humans. The paper also represents an alarm signal for environmental researchers, chemists, physicists, and biologists. The Black Sea is a tourist area that attracts many people and must remain a healthy ecosystem.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Acknowledgments

Countries to I thank SC Apele Romane (Romanian Waters), which enabled me to take part in this campaign for monitoring the Black Sea environmental parameters and seawater quality and allowed me to access data from reports of riparian finish my study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Surveillance in the Black Sea: (a) Number of monitoring vessels; (b) The measurement points from the western part.
Figure 1. Surveillance in the Black Sea: (a) Number of monitoring vessels; (b) The measurement points from the western part.
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Figure 2. The situation of maritime transport in the Black Sea: (a) 2017; (b) 2018; (c) 2021.
Figure 2. The situation of maritime transport in the Black Sea: (a) 2017; (b) 2018; (c) 2021.
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Figure 3. Air parameters for March 2020: (a) Wind direction; (b) Air temperature; (c) Precipitations.
Figure 3. Air parameters for March 2020: (a) Wind direction; (b) Air temperature; (c) Precipitations.
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Figure 4. Air deposits for HM and POP particles: (a) Values recorded; (b) Comparison with 2009.
Figure 4. Air deposits for HM and POP particles: (a) Values recorded; (b) Comparison with 2009.
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Figure 5. Oil pollution in the Black Sea: (a) Oil pipelines; (b) Oil spills in 2020.
Figure 5. Oil pollution in the Black Sea: (a) Oil pipelines; (b) Oil spills in 2020.
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Figure 6. Effects of eutrophication in the Black Sea: (a) 2009-Turkey; (b) Romania 2012; (c) 2018 NASA image of when the Black Sea became turquoise; (d) 2017-Ukraine.
Figure 6. Effects of eutrophication in the Black Sea: (a) 2009-Turkey; (b) Romania 2012; (c) 2018 NASA image of when the Black Sea became turquoise; (d) 2017-Ukraine.
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Figure 7. Actual situation of fish catches in Black Sea.
Figure 7. Actual situation of fish catches in Black Sea.
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Figure 8. Endangered fish species in the Black Sea: (a) Pontic shad; (b) Flathead grey mullet; (c) Mullets; (d) Spotted dogfish; (e) Black Sea turbot.
Figure 8. Endangered fish species in the Black Sea: (a) Pontic shad; (b) Flathead grey mullet; (c) Mullets; (d) Spotted dogfish; (e) Black Sea turbot.
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Figure 9. Sturgeon species in the Black Sea: (a) Diamond sturgeon or Danube sturgeon—Acipenser Sturio; (b) Small spotted cat shark—Scyliorhinidae; (c) The beluga sturgeon—Huso-Huso; (d) Starry sturgeon—Acipenser Stellatus.
Figure 9. Sturgeon species in the Black Sea: (a) Diamond sturgeon or Danube sturgeon—Acipenser Sturio; (b) Small spotted cat shark—Scyliorhinidae; (c) The beluga sturgeon—Huso-Huso; (d) Starry sturgeon—Acipenser Stellatus.
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Table 1. Average recorded values of PAHs in 2020.
Table 1. Average recorded values of PAHs in 2020.
RomaniaTurkeyBulgariaUkraine
SamplePAH [g/kg]PAH [%]SamplePAH [g/kg]PAH [%]SamplePAH [g/kg]PAH [%]SamplePAH [g/kg]PAH [%]
Constanta2230718104619746134045
Costinesti3213210934722213242346
Eforie1593113107846320227357949
Mamaia5637479041434154100139
Mangalia20381953523852077588443
Portita782236464406165415694044
Sulina289132734140739432776342
Vama Veche3045248558438229811871240
Table 2. Dangerous organic contaminants recorded in the Romanian sediments.
Table 2. Dangerous organic contaminants recorded in the Romanian sediments.
CompoundNumber SamplesMin [μg/kg]Max [μg/kg]
Naphthalene611.2634.7
Acenaphthylene540.878.9
Fluorene611.6976
Acenaphthene542.2292.2
Phenanthrene584.8409.7
Anthracene600.3294.5
Fluoranthene561272.8
Pyrene581325.8
Benzo(a)anthracene520.4279.8
Chrysene560.285.8
Fluorane(b)benzo(b)560.1255.1
Table 3. Variation of the HM concentrations in sediments.
Table 3. Variation of the HM concentrations in sediments.
Heavy Metal
(μg/g)
20142020
SamplesMinMaxSamplesMinMax
Cu1413.7650.31188.8155.07
Cd140.0570.386210.0240.61
Pb149.2145.18205.3757.74
Ni1415.757.8199.2370.42
Cr167.6797.88193888.1
Zn1926.185.61528.2123.1
Mn243491425.3172571637
V225.391.2217.255.14
Co214.3712.82190.4314.28
As218.39.5209.714.3
Hg242.83.29193.425.88
Table 4. Principal sources of the seawater pollution.
Table 4. Principal sources of the seawater pollution.
Sources of Pollution
TypesStationary Land-Based Outfalls 1Run-Offs from Rivers 2Coastal Diffuse Sources 3Air and Sediments 4Ships and Marine Platforms 5
Chemicals:+ + +
Persistent organic+++++
Oil and petroleum+++++
Nutrients+++++
Trace elements+++++
Radioactive + +
Marine litter+++ +
Biologic+++++
Microbial+++ +
Exotic species of fish+++ +
Note(s): 1 Liquid industrial waste, oil spills, insufficiently treated sewage from coastal cities and settlements; 2 Nutritive inputs from agriculture, industry, mining, and municipal sewage; 3 Inputs of organic materials from agriculture, animal husbandry, and unmanaged tourism, mainly through land runoff (coastal rainwater and groundwater); 4 Air pollution as smoke, dust, and exhaust gases, regardless of the place of origin; 5 Discharge of solid waste, from explosions and dredged materials, lost fishing nets, or from the introduction of foreign marine organisms.
Table 5. Average concentrations of the nutrients discharged by country.
Table 5. Average concentrations of the nutrients discharged by country.
ParameterBulgariaGeorgiaRomaniaRussiaTurkeyUkraine
P-PO4 [μg/L]0.13–0.580.410.590.260.420.88–1.81
TP [μg/L]No data1.721.680.730.530.7
N-NO3 [μg/L]0.34–4.581.6117.581.142.1925.86
N-NO2 [μg/L]No dataNo data54.6929.728.3456.6
Table 6. Part of the IUCN Red List specific for the Black Sea.
Table 6. Part of the IUCN Red List specific for the Black Sea.
Nr.FishNr.FishNr.FishNr.FishNr.Fish
1Acipenser stellatus9Conger conger17Knipowitschia longecaudata25Symphodus ocellatus33Mullus barbatus
2Aidablenntus sphynx10Gobius cobitis18Chromogobius quadrivittus26Scomber scombrus34Sarda sarda
3Pungitus platygaster11Salaria pavo19Zasterisesssor aphiocephalus27Scorpana porcus35Thunnus thynus
4Coryphoblennius galerita12Spicaria smaris20Mesogobius batrachocephalus28Diplodocus annuklaris35Pegusa lascaris
5Calliopymus risso13Gobitus bucchichi21Proterorhinus marmoratus29Necrophiso ophidion37Sygnathus typhle
6Belone belone euxini14Neogobius syrma22Benthophiloidas brauneri30Sygnatus tenuirostris38Trachinus draco
7Pomatoschistus minutus15Symphodus tinca23Hippocampus guttulatus31Uranoscopus scaber39Xiphias gladius
8Clupeonella cultriventris16Liza ramada24Chelidonichthys lucrenus32Lucioperca marina40Neogobitus ratan
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Radulescu, V. RETRACTED: Environmental Conditions and the Fish Stocks Situation in the Black Sea, between Climate Change, War, and Pollution. Water 2023, 15, 1012. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15061012

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Radulescu V. RETRACTED: Environmental Conditions and the Fish Stocks Situation in the Black Sea, between Climate Change, War, and Pollution. Water. 2023; 15(6):1012. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15061012

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Radulescu, Victorita. 2023. "RETRACTED: Environmental Conditions and the Fish Stocks Situation in the Black Sea, between Climate Change, War, and Pollution" Water 15, no. 6: 1012. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15061012

APA Style

Radulescu, V. (2023). RETRACTED: Environmental Conditions and the Fish Stocks Situation in the Black Sea, between Climate Change, War, and Pollution. Water, 15(6), 1012. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15061012

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