DOCSLIB.ORG

Black Sea Dynamics

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Black Sea Dynamics BLACK SEA OCEANOGRAPHY Understanding BLACK SEA DYNAMICS An Overview of Recent Numerical Modeling BY EMIL V. STANEV he importance of the Black Sea extends far beyond its regional role as a mixing body T where Mediterranean water is diluted. This sea’s marine environment acts as a small- scale laboratory for investigating processes that are common to different areas of the world’s oceans. In particular, research on deep ventilation could facilitate understanding of similar controlling processes in the paleocean when the ocean’s conveyor belt was shallower. Be- cause water and salt balances are easily controllable and the scales are smaller than in the global ocean, this basin is a useful test region for developing models, which can then be ap- plied to larger scales. Moreover, studying outputs from numerical models is an important complement to sparse observations and extends our knowledge. The major purpose of this paper is to demonstrate this possibility, using Black Sea physical oceanography examples based on numerical modeling results. Th is article has been published in Oceanography, Volume 18, Number 2, a quarterly journal of Th e Oceanography Society. Copyright 2005 by Th e Oceanography Society. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this article by photo- 56 Oceanography Vol.18, No.2, June 2005 copy machine, reposting, or other means without prior authorization of Th e Oceanography Society is strictly prohibited. Send all correspondence to: [email protected] or Th e Oceanography Society, PO Box 1931, Rockville, MD 20849-1931, USA. Oceanography Vol.18, No.2, June 2005 57 INTRODUCTION waters, limiting the vertical exchange and about the individual applications as The Black Sea is a nearly enclosed basin creating a unique chemical and biologi- well as about the strengths of different connected to the Sea of Marmara and cal environment (see Konovalov, this is- models are given in the papers of Stanev the Sea of Azov by the narrow Bosporus sue). The cold intermediate water (CIW) (1990), Oguz and Malanotte-Rizzoli and Kerch Straits, respectively. Its catch- mass, with temperatures lower than the (1996), Staneva et al. (2001), Stanev et ment area covers large parts of Europe mean annual temperature of the surface al. (2003) and Kara et al. (2005a). This and Asia (Figure 1), providing a total and deep layers, is a consequence of ex- paper does not summarize all major re- freshwater supply of 3 x 102 km3 per tremely stable stratifi cation. This cold sults of these reviews and original pub- year1. Although evaporation exceeds pre- intermediate layer (CIL) is formed by lications, rather it reports on new devel- cipitation, the freshwater fl ux (river run- winter cooling followed by spreading of opments and perspectives. off, plus precipitation minus evapora- CIW throughout the sea in a layer ap- There are many examples in oceanog- tion) remains large in comparison to ba- proximately 50 to 100 m below the sur- raphy of fundamental processes that had sin volume (~5.4 x 105 km3), making the face. It acts as a boundary between sur- been fi rst described by theory and later Black Sea a typical estuarine basin. Be- face and deep waters. supported by observations. Numeri- cause of the large freshwater fl ux and the The Black Sea is where most kinds of cal modeling also provides a powerful narrow opening in the strait of Bospo- numerical models based on primitive tool for estimating fundamental ocean rus, the exchange between the Black and equations have been used to simulate cir- characteristics that cannot be directly Marmara Sea is asymmetric: the volume culation and transport of matter (see Box measured. The aim of this paper is to of water transported by the outfl owing 1). This sea provides optimal possibilities, demonstrate that studying outputs from surface current is two times larger than using easily manageable models and ob- numerical models is an important com- the infl owing deep counter-current, thus servational data to address a wide spec- plement to sparse observations and pro- the Black Sea’s surface salinity is about trum of processes observed in the ocean. vides important scientifi c guidance. half that of the Mediterranean’s. The Black Sea also has unique oceano- CIRCULATION Numerical modeling made it possible, for ...studying outputs from numerical models is an the fi rst time, to quantify the individual important complement to sparse observations and impact of mechanical and thermohaline forcing in the Black Sea (Stanev, 1990; provides important scientific guidance. Oguz and Malanotte-Rizzoli, 1996), re- vealing wind as the main driving force in creating a cyclonic general circulation. Unlike other large estuarine basins graphic conditions maintained by strong The haline buoyancy anomalies at the sea (e.g., the Baltic Sea), the Black Sea is a stratifi cation, river runoff, and infl ows. surface enhance the cyclonic circulation deep basin (maximum depth of ~2200 There are more than 25 peer-review because most of the freshwater enters the m) with a large shelf. A distinct vertical papers in English dealing with different sea in the coastal area. The circulation is layering is created between the surface aspects of modeling Black Sea circula- structured usually in two connected gyre waters in the upper 100 m and the deep tion. Extended references on modeling and observations are provided in sev- Emil V. Stanev ([email protected]fi a.bg) 1In view of the great interannual variability during eral reviews (Stanev, 1990; Stanev et al., is Professor, Department of Meteorol- the last 50 to 100 years (Stanev and Peneva, 2002; Oguz paper 2, this issue), errors of observations and 2002; Kara et al., 2005a). In this paper ogy and Geophysics, University of Sofi a, non-steady state conditions, these numbers, as well we will refer only to well-documented Bulgaria, also at the Institute for Chemistry as some other budget numbers in this paper, give a (and in most cases freely available) mod- and Biology of the Marine Environment, very rough estimate of the climatic state. els applied to the Black Sea. More details University of Oldenburg, Germany. 58 Oceanography Vol.18, No.2, June 2005 56°N 46°N 36°N 10°E 20°E 30°E 40°E Figure 1. Th e Black Sea system is coupled with the atmospheric and hydrological systems over Europe and Asia Minor. Th e excess freshwater at the sea surface, along with the basin shape and topography and meteorological forcing, make the Black Sea a good overall integrator of the various kinds of processes that act over large continental areas. Th ere is a clear correlation between North Atlantic Oscillation and sea-level variability (Stanev and Peneva, 2002; Oguz, paper 2, this issue). Th e orography of the Black Sea catchment area (m) is plotted in this fi gure with brighter colors. Streamlines illustrate the annual mean surface wind computed from the ERA-40 data. systems encompassing the basin (the Rim Similar to many oceanic systems, Black Different physical controls are thus pos- Current) (Figure 2). Simulated velocities Sea dynamics is controlled by topogra- sible depending upon the geometric and of ~0.5 m/s, and greater than 1 m/s in phy, where the largest slope of sea level physical scale. The former is measured some areas (Staneva et al., 2001), com- is located along the continental slope. by the width of slope area, the latter by pare well with the observations of Oguz However, the topographic slope is gentle the Rossby radius (this physical scale and Besiktepe (1999). in the northwestern and western Black depends upon vertical stratifi cation and The Rim Current is associated with Sea, where the width of slope area is planetary rotation and is used in ocean- a difference of ~0.2 m between sea level ~80 to 160 km, and abrupt along the ography as a measure of the size of ocean in the coastal and open sea (Figure 2). southern and eastern coasts (Figure 1). eddies). In the area of abrupt slope, the Oceanography Vol.18, No.2, June 2005 59 BOX 1: NUMERICAL MODELS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN THE BLACK SEA Th e hydrodynamic equations solved by the has a good introduction to ocean models. ocean models are discretized vertically and Th e very early version of the eddy-permit- horizontally in a fi nite number of grid elements ting Black Sea model Stanev (1990) used the H with diff erent shapes. Th e horizontal grid reso- Modular Ocean Model (MOM) (see http:// lution has to be suffi ciently fi ne to be able to www.gfdl.noaa.gov/~smg/MOM/MOM.html resolve all of the important processes. How- for more information), which is a z-coordinate a ever, using a very-fi ne-resolution grid over large model based on the so-called “box-concept.” z-Coordinate Model areas is not possible because of the limitation Th is study has been followed by a few other of computational resources. At a minimum, eddy-resolving ocean general circulation mod- horizontal resolution has to be fi ne enough to els (OGCMs). One of them is the Princeton suffi ciently resolve ocean eddies (“eddy-resolv- Ocean Model (POM) (see http://www.aos. ing models”), which have spatial scales of sev- princeton.edu/WWWPUBLIC/htdocs.pom for H eral tens of kilometers. more information), which uses σ-coordinates. Diff erent vertical resolutions are used when Its application to the Black Sea is documented b modeling diff erent ocean regimes (e.g., surface, by Oguz and Malanotte-Rizzoli (1996). Th e Di- σ coastal, or deep ocean). Th is fi gure represents etrich Center for Air Sea Technology (DieCAST) -Coordinate Model four diff erent examples of vertical resolution.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas Region
    MEDITERRANEAN, BLACK AND CASPIAN SEAS REGION 1 INTRODUCTION • Fellows from the region • National and Regional needs for the Region • Actions to be taken. • Recent developments on Maritime issues 2 Fellows from the Region • Republic of Bulgaria – 1 • Georgia – 1 • Islamic Republic of Iran – 3 • Turkey – 1 • Libya – 1 • Republic of Azerbaijan – 1 3 Republic of Bulgaria • To comply, implement and enforce the IMO Conventions namely Ballast Water Management Convention, Recycling Convention and HNS Convention. • To conclude agreement with neighboring countries e.g with Romania on delimitation of maritime spaces in Black Sea. • To assist the States in the region in their endeavor to comply with, implement and enforce the IMO conventions because the ratification and enforcement of existing IMO conventions by all Black sea countries will ensure a global level playing field. 4 • To elaborate the national Maritime Transport Strategy with its priority areas, namely shipping in globalized markets, human resources, quality shipping, short sea shipping, research and innovation • To conclude search and rescue agreements between the countries in the Black Sea region • These are national and regional needs for the Republic of Bulgaria. 5 Islamic Republic of Iran Issues regarding environmental legislation, national action and delimitation of maritime boundaries •Inadequate marine and coastal management laws. •Insufficient legislation to protect coastal and marine natural resources. •Overlapping and conflicting laws regarding marine and coastal management. • Lack of internationally legally recognized regime applicable to exploration and exploitation of the shared natural resources. 6 Actions to be taken • Strengthen the legal framework regarding coastal and marine environment protection • Coordinating and managing environmental conflicts among various organizations.
    [Show full text]
  • A 2020 Vision for the Black Sea Region a Report by the Commission on the Black Sea
    A 2020 Vision for the Black Sea Region A Report by the Commission on the Black Sea www.blackseacom.eu An initiative of: The Black eaS Trust for Regional Cooperation A 2020 Vision for the Black Sea Region A Report by the Commission on the Black Sea Contents Why read this Report? 4 What is the Commission on the Black Sea? 7 Executive Summary 12 Резюме выводов 15 Yönetici Özeti 19 The Report Introduction: The State of Play 22 Peace and Security 28 Economic Development and Welfare 31 Democratic Institutions and Good Governance 34 Regional Cooperation 36 Conclusions 38 Policy Recommendations 40 The Black Sea in Figures 45 Abbreviations 65 Initiators 67 The Rapporteurs, Editor and Acknowledgements 69 Imprint 70 3 Why read this Report? Why read this Report? … because the Black Sea matters The Black Sea region is coming into its own - but it is a contested and sometimes dangerous neighbourhood. It has undergone countless political transformations over time. And now, once again, it is becoming the subject of an intense debate. This reflects the changing dynamics of the Black Sea countries and the complex realities of their politics and conflicts, economies and societies. Geography, the interests of others and the region’s relations with the rest of the world in large part explain its resurgence. Straddling Europe and Asia, the Black Sea links north to south and east to west. Oil, gas, transport and trade routes are all crucial in explaining its increasing relevance. In the last two decades the Black Sea has changed beyond recognition. We have witnessed the transformation of the former communist societies and the impact of globalisation.
    [Show full text]
  • Accessibility of the Baltic Sea Region Past and Future Dynamics Research Report
    Accessibility of the Baltic Sea Region Past and future dynamics Research report This report has been written by Spiekermann & Wegener Urban and Regional Research on the behalf of VASAB Secretariat at Latvian State Regional Development Agency Final Report, November 2018 Authors Tomasz Komornicki, Klaus Spiekermann Spiekermann & Wegener Urban and Regional Research Lindemannstraße 10 D-44137 Dortmund, Germany 2 Contents Page 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3 2 Accessibility potential in the BSR 2006-2016 ........................................................................... 5 2.1 The context of past accessibility changes ........................................................................... 5 2.2 Accessibility potential by road ........................................................................................... 13 2.3 Accessibility potential by rail .............................................................................................. 17 2.4 Accessibility potential by air .............................................................................................. 21 2.5 Accessibility potential, multimodal ..................................................................................... 24 3. Accessibility to opportunities ................................................................................................... 28 3.1 Accessibility to regional centres .......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Modeling of the Turkish Strait System Using a High Resolution Unstructured Grid Ocean Circulation Model
    Journal of Marine Science and Engineering Article Modeling of the Turkish Strait System Using a High Resolution Unstructured Grid Ocean Circulation Model Mehmet Ilicak 1,* , Ivan Federico 2 , Ivano Barletta 2,3 , Sabri Mutlu 4 , Haldun Karan 4 , Stefania Angela Ciliberti 2 , Emanuela Clementi 5 , Giovanni Coppini 2 and Nadia Pinardi 3 1 Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey 2 Fondazione Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, Ocean Predictions and Applications Division, 73100 Lecce, Italy; [email protected] (I.F.); [email protected] (I.B.); [email protected] (S.A.C.); [email protected] (G.C.) 3 Department of Physics and Astronomy, Universita di Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum, 40126 Bologna, Italy; [email protected] 4 TUBITAK MRC Environment and Cleaner Production Institute, Kocaeli 41470, Turkey; [email protected] (S.M.); [email protected] (H.K.) 5 Fondazione Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, Ocean Modeling and Data Assimilation Division, 40126 Bologna, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The Turkish Strait System, which is the only connection between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, is a challenging region for ocean circulation models due to topographic constraints and water mass structure. We present a newly developed high resolution unstructured finite element grid model to simulate the Turkish Strait System using realistic atmospheric forcing and lateral open boundary conditions. We find that the jet flowing from the Bosphorus Strait into the Marmara creates Citation: Ilicak, M.; Federico, I.; an anticyclonic circulation. The eddy kinetic energy field is high around the jets exiting from the Barletta, I.; Mutlu, S.; Karan, H.; Ciliberti, S.A.; Clementi, E.; Coppini, Bosphorus Strait, Dardanelles Strait, and also the leeward side of the islands in the Marmara Sea.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkey and Black Sea Security 3
    SIPRI Background Paper December 2018 TURKEY AND SUMMARY w The Black Sea region is BLACK SEA SECURITY experiencing a changing military balance. The six littoral states (Bulgaria, siemon t. wezeman and alexandra kuimova* Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine) intensified their efforts to build up their military potential after Russia’s The security environment in the wider Black Sea region—which brings takeover of Crimea and the together the six littoral states (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey start of the internationalized and Ukraine) and a hinterland including the South Caucasus and Moldova— civil war in eastern Ukraine is rapidly changing. It combines protracted conflicts with a significant con- in 2014. ventional military build-up that intensified after the events of 2014: Russia’s Although security in the takeover of Crimea and the start of the internationalized civil war in eastern Black Sea region has always Ukraine.1 Transnational connections between conflicts across the region been and remains important for and between the Black Sea and the Middle East add further dimensions of Turkey, the current Turkish insecurity. As a result, there is a blurring of the conditions of peace, crisis defence policy seems to be and conflict in the region. This has led to an unpredictable and potentially largely directed southwards, high-risk environment in which military forces with advanced weapons, towards the Middle East. including nuclear-capable systems, are increasingly active in close proxim- Russian–Turkish relations have been ambiguous for some years. ity to each other. Turkey has openly expressed In this context, there is an urgent need to develop a clearer understanding concern about perceived of the security dynamics and challenges facing the wider Black Sea region, Russian ambitions in the Black and to explore opportunities for dialogue between the key regional security Sea region and called for a actors.
    [Show full text]
  • The Black Sea Region After EU Enlargement Occasional Paper
    Occasional Paper June 2004 n°53 Mustafa Aydin Europe’s next shore: the Black Sea region after EU enlargement published by the European Union Institute for Security Studies 43 avenue du Président Wilson F-75775 Paris cedex 16 phone: + 33 (0) 1 56 89 19 30 fax: + 33 (0) 1 56 89 19 31 e-mail: [email protected] www.iss-eu.org In January 2002 the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) was created as a Paris- based autonomous agency of the European Union. Following an EU Council Joint Action of 20 July 2001, it is now an integral part of the new structures that will support the fur- ther development of the CFSP/ESDP. The Institute’s core mission is to provide analyses and recommendations that can be of use and relevance to the formulation of EU policies. In carrying out that mission, it also acts as an interface between experts and decision-mak- ers at all levels. Occasional Papers are essays or reports that the Institute considers should be made avail- able as a contribution to the debate on topical issues relevant to European security. They may be based on work carried out by researchers granted awards by the EUISS, on contri- butions prepared by external experts, and on collective research projects or other activities organised by (or with the support of) the Institute. They reflect the views of their authors, not those of the Institute. Publication of Occasional Papers will be announced in the EUISS Newsletter and they will be available on request in the language - either English or French - used by authors.
    [Show full text]
  • Mediterranean Marine Science
    Mediterranean Marine Science Vol. 18, 2017 Water Exchange through Canal İstanbul and Bosphorus Strait SÖZER A. ORDU University, Fatsa Faculty of Marine Sciences ÖZSOY E. Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, Istanbul https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.1877 Copyright © 2017 Mediterranean Marine Science To cite this article: SÖZER, A., & ÖZSOY, E. (2017). Water Exchange through Canal İstanbul and Bosphorus Strait. Mediterranean Marine Science, 18(1), 77-86. doi:https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.1877 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 11/10/2020 15:19:37 | Research Article Mediterranean Marine Science Indexed in WoS (Web of Science, ISI Thomson) and SCOPUS The journal is available on line at http://www.medit-mar-sc.net DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/mms.1877 Water Exchange through Canal İstanbul and Bosphorus Strait A. SÖZER1,2 AND E. ÖZSOY2,3 1 Fatsa Faculty of Marine Sciences, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey 2 Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Erdemli-Mersin, Turkey 3 Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, İstanbul, Turkey Corresponding author: [email protected] Handling Editor: Takvor Soukissian Received: 11 August 2016; Accepted: 8 December 2016; Published on line: 13 February 2017 Abstract The Turkish Straits System (TSS) regulates the transports of water, material and energy between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Amidst existing environmental threats to the region surrounding İstanbul, the environmental footprint of the proposed Canal İstanbul project needs to be evaluated through methods of natural science. We take the elementary step to answer the particular problem of coupled strait dynamics by adding the Canal to an existing hydrodynamic model and estimate changes in their common response.
    [Show full text]
  • The Three Seas Initiative
    Updated April 26, 2021 The Three Seas Initiative The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) is a regional effort in According to EU data, the 3SI region remains less well-off Europe to expand cross-border energy, transportation, and economically compared with the rest of the EU; the 3SI digital infrastructure and boost economic development in countries together comprise just under 30% of EU territory the area between the Adriatic Sea, Baltic Sea, and Black and 22% of its population but account for 10% of the EU’s Sea. Twelve countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the gross domestic product (the EU data predate Brexit and so Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, include the United Kingdom). Infrastructure gaps are Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia), all of which are considered a factor behind regional economic disparities. members of the European Union (EU), participate in the According to EU data, road and rail travel in the 3SI region 3SI (see Figure 1). take, on average, roughly two to four times longer than comparable travel in the rest of the EU. The U.S. government, including some Members of Congress, have indicated strong backing for the 3SI. In Figure 1. Three Seas Initiative November 2020, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution “expressing support of the Three Seas Initiative in its efforts to increase energy independence and infrastructure connectivity thereby strengthening the United States and European national security” (H.Res. 672, 116th Congress). Officials from the Biden Administration and the Trump Administration have expressed diplomatic support for the 3SI, and high-level U.S. officials (including then- President Trump in 2017) have joined its annual summits.
    [Show full text]
  • The Baltic Sea Region the Baltic Sea Region
    TTHEHE BBALALTTICIC SSEAEA RREGIONEGION Cultures,Cultures, Politics,Politics, SocietiesSocieties EditorEditor WitoldWitold MaciejewskiMaciejewski A Baltic University Publication A chronology of the history 7 of the Baltic Sea region Kristian Gerner 800-1250 Vikings; Early state formation and Christianization 800s-1000s Nordic Vikings dominate the Baltic Region 919-1024 The Saxon German Empire 966 Poland becomes Christianized under Mieszko I 988 Kiev Rus adopts Christianity 990s-1000s Denmark Christianized 999 The oldest record on existence of Gdańsk Cities and towns During the Middle Ages cities were small but they grew in number between 1200-1400 with increased trade, often in close proximity to feudal lords and bishops. Lübeck had some 20,000 inhabitants in the 14th and 15th centuries. In many cities around the Baltic Sea, German merchants became very influential. In Swedish cities tensions between Germans and Swedes were common. 1000s Sweden Christianized 1000s-1100s Finland Christianized. Swedish domination established 1025 Boleslaw I crowned King of Poland 1103-1104 A Nordic archbishopric founded in Lund 1143 Lübeck founded (rebuilt 1159 after a fire) 1150s-1220s Denmark dominates the Baltic Region 1161 Visby becomes a “free port” and develops into an important trade center 1100s Copenhagen founded (town charter 1254) 1100s-1200s German movement to the East 1200s Livonia under domination of the Teutonic Order 1200s Estonia and Livonia Christianized 1201 Riga founded by German bishop Albert 1219 Reval/Tallinn founded by Danes ca 1250
    [Show full text]
  • Eastern Gulf of Finland-1
    Template for Submission of Information, including Traditional Knowledge, to Describe Areas Meeting Scientific Criteria for Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas EASTERN GULF OF FINLAND Abstract The area is a shallow (mean 24 m, max 95 m deep) archipelago area in the northeastern Baltic Sea. It is characterized by hundreds of small islands and skerries, coastal lagoons and boreal narrow inlets, as well as a specific geomorphology, with clear signs from the last glaciation. Due to the low salinity (0- 5 permille), the species composition is a mixture of freshwater and marine organisms, and especially diversity of aquatic plants is high, Many marine species, including habitat forming key species such as bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) and blue mussel (Mytilus trossulus), live on the edge of their geographical distribution limits, which makes them vulnerable to human disturbance and effects of climate change. The area has a rich birdlife and supports one of the most important populations of the ringed seal (Pusa hispida botnica), an endangered species. Introduction to the area The proposed area (Fig. 1 & 2) is situated on the north-eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, in the Baltic Sea, which is the largest brackish water area in the World. The proposed area is an archipelago with hundreds of small islands and skerries, coastal lagoons and boreal narrow inlets, as well as a specific geomorphology, with clear signs from the last glaciation (ca. 18.000 – 9.000 BP). Coastal areas freeze over still freeze over every winter for at least a few weeks. The scenery in the area ranges from sheltered inner archipelago with lagoons, shallow bays and boreal inlets, through middle archipelago, with few larger islands, to wave exposed outer archipelago with open sea, small islands and skerries.
    [Show full text]
  • The Balkans and the Black Sea Region: Problems, Potentials, and Policy Options
    Bertelsmann Group for Policy Research No. 2 · April 2006 Policy Analysis Iris Kempe, Kurt Klotzle The Balkans and the Black Sea Region: Problems, Potentials, and Policy Options This paper was produced as the strategy paper for the conference “The Search for Stability in the Balkans,” which took place in Vienna on 7-8 April 2006. The conference was organized by the Club of 3, Ameurus, and Europäisches Forum Alpbach. The authors would like to thank Martin Brusis for conceptual input on the Balkan region. Kempe · Klotzle · The Balkans and the Black Sea Region Contents Summary 4 1. Introduction 5 2. Risks and Challenges beyond the Borders of the Euro-Atlantic Community 6 3. Linkages and External Actors 10 4. The Balkans and the Black Sea: Strategic Options 13 5. Conclusion 19 Kempe · Klotzle · The Balkans and the Black Sea Region The Balkans and the Black Sea Region: Problems, Potentials, and Policy Options Summary In the decade and a half since Western leaders began to sketch out their vision of a Europe whole and free, the European Union and NATO have succeeded in extending a zone of security and stability across much of the continent. However, two key regions – the Balkans and the Black Sea – are not yet fully incorporated into this vision, and the lack of coherent strategies addressing these regions threat- ens to prevent Europe from achieving its full potential. The Balkans and the Black Sea region are characterised by numerous common risks and challenges, including fragile statehood, a shared history of violent conflict, unconsolidated democratisation and economic underdevelopment.
    [Show full text]
  • 1. Introduction
    UNCLASSIFIED/UNLIMITED 1. Introduction he coastal and shelf zones of the Black Sea are a mosaic of complex, interacting ecosystems with immense economic significance, rich natural resources and ecological communities, T and concentrated human activities. They contain biologically productive, diverse ecosystems that provide a vital habitat for many commercial and endangered species. Until recently, the Black Sea supported fisheries almost five times richer than those of the neighboring Mediterranean. The Black Sea is of global interest on several levels. First, it has experienced the worst envi- ronmental degradation of all of the world’s oceans. The situation has become so severe that it has affected the health, well being, and standard of living of the people in the immediate area. Second, most of the six coastal countries—Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine—have unstable or collapsed economies. About 160 million people live in the Black Sea catchment basin, including 80 million only in the Danube River basin. Although international agreements, strategic plans, and national environmental programs are in place, these severe economical problems have significantly slowed environmental monitoring, remediation, and restoration efforts. The maps in Figure 1 show the geographical location of the Black Sea region, its six coastal countries, and its catchment basin. The Black Sea’s surface area is 423,000 km2, one-fifth that of the Mediterranean, its total volume is 547,000 km3, and its maximum depth is around 2,200 m. The northwestern shelf, less than 200 m deep and occupying ~25% of the total area, receives discharges of Europe’s three largest rivers, the Danube, Dniepr, and Don, and also the Dniestr and Kuban rivers.
    [Show full text]