The north-western Black Sea: A pilot site to understand the complex interaction between human activities and the coastal environment

Between 1994 and 1998, the European Union EROS project has focused its research on the biogeochemistry and ecological quality of the Danube-north-western Black Sea continuum. This area was chosen as a pilot site to understand the complex interactions between human activities and the quality of the coastal environment. Project methodology included analysis of historical data, field expeditions, process-level studies and mathematical modelling, Main results achieved are shortly described highlighting the rapid response of the coastal Black Sea ecosystem to positive and negative effects of human changes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.