Black Sea oxygen-rich habitats shrinking due to climate change

The oxygen-rich water zones in the Black Sea are shrinking due to global warming, pollution, and overfishing, according to experts. During a workshop organized by Karadeniz Technical University as part of the EU-funded BIOBLACK Project, researchers highlighted significant changes in the marine ecosystem.

Professor Coşkun Erüz reported that rising sea temperatures and increased evaporation are altering the physical structure of the sea. This has led to a reduction in the depth of oxygenated water; areas that previously supported life down to 200 meters are now seeing oxygen levels drop at depths of 100 meters in some regions. This contraction threatens fish and other surface-level organisms.

The workshop included stakeholders and project partners from Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. Participants discussed research findings, potential international collaborations, and a mobile application designed to track endangered species and the distribution of invasive species in the region.