A review of science–policy interface for water governance in the Caspian Sea

Science and policy have been interlinked for decades and perform essential nexus conditions in the governing aspects of environmental scenarios.This review paper examines the present challenges in the science–policy interface in terms of water governance in the Caspian Sea and identifies effective conditions that may be used in the current context to enhance the mechanism.The evaluation of the science–policy link in the water policy of the Caspian Sea reveals a gap between knowledge producer and governance system,impeding the translation of scientific information into action.Complicated and context-dependent solutions make it challenging to establish effective science–policy processes in the Caspian Sea water governance settings.Establishing a common governing authority,implementing water and resource management regulations,and protecting the natural environment through legal frameworks are crucial steps to address these concerns and ensure sustainable development.Collaboration among coastal states is essential in environmental,economic,and social aspects of regional development.However,the lack of a comprehensive approach,coherent activities,and effective utilization of national and regional power has hindered efforts to halt the environmental degradation of the Caspian Sea.Local governments need to recognize their responsibility to protect and utilize the Caspian Sea for present and future generations,considering both environmental and human security.The interlinkage of the Caspian Sea water governance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)water governance principles offers a framework for policymakers to assess gaps and make necessary amendments to existing mechanisms.Effective science–policy interaction,engagement of diverse stakeholders,institutionalizing agreements,and addressing collective action issues are critical for successful water governance.

Prediction of the flooding area of the northeastern Caspian Sea from satellite images

Studying the dynamic changes in the coastline of the northeastern Caspian Sea is significant since the level of the Caspian is unstable,and the coastline change can cause enormous damage to the ecology,economy,and population of the coastal part of Kazakhstan.In this work,we use remote sensing and Geographic Information System(GIS)technologies to study the changes in the coastline of the northeastern Caspian Sea and predict the extent of flooding with increasing water levels.The proposed methodology for creating dynamic maps can be used to monitor the coastline and forecast the extent of flooding in the area.As a result of this work,the main factors affecting changes in the coastline were identified.After analyzing the water level data from 1988 to 2019,it was revealed that the rise in water level was observed from 1980 to 1995.The maximum sea level rise was recorded at-26.04 m.After that,the sea level began to fall,and between 1996 and 2009,there were no significant changes;the water level fluctuated with an average of-27.18 m.Then,a map of the water level dynamics in the Caspian Sea from 1988 to 2019 was compiled.According to the dynamics map,water level rise and significant coastal retreat were revealed,especially in the northern part of the Caspian Sea and the northern and southern parts of Sora Kaydak.The method for predicting the estimated flooding area was described.As a result,based on a single map,the flooding area of the northeast coast was predicted.A comparative analysis of Landsat and SRTM data is presented.

Geochemical characteristics and genetic model of dolomite reservoirs in the eastern margin of the Pre-Caspian Basin

The widespread Carboniferous KT-I dolomite in the eastern margin of the Pre-Caspian Basin is an important hydrocarbon reservoir. The dolomite lithology is dominated by crystalline dolomite. The δ18O values range from -6.71‰ to 2.45‰, and average 0.063‰, obviously larger than -2.5‰, indicating low-temperature dolomite of evaporation origin. Stable strontium isotope ratios （87Sr/86Sr） range from 0.70829 to 0.70875 and average 0.708365, very consistent with 87Sr/86Sr ratios in Carboniferous seawater. Chemical analysis of Ca and Mg elements shows that the dolomite has 9.1 mole% excess Ca or even higher before stabilization. The degree of order of dolomite is medium–slightly poor, varying in a range of 0.336-0.504 and averaging 0.417. It suggests that the dolomite formed under near-surface conditions. There are two models for the origin of the Carboniferous KT-I dolomite reservoir. These are 1） the evaporation concentration – weathering crust model and 2） the shoal facies – seepage reflux model. The former is mainly developed in restricted platforms – evaporate platforms of restricted marine deposition environments with a representation of dolomite associated with gypsum and mudstone. The latter mainly formed in platform edge shoals and intra-platform shoals and is controlled by dolomitization due to high salinity sea water influx from adjacent restricted sea or evaporate platform.

Goal programming approach for sustainable forest management(case study in Iranian Caspian forests)

We used a goal programming technique to determine the optimal harvest volume for the Iranian Caspian forest. We collected data including volume, growth, wood price at forest roadside, and variable harvesting costs. The allometric method was used to quantify seques- trated carbon. Regression analysis was used to derive growth models. Expected mean price was estimated using wood price and variable harvesting costs. Questionnaire was used to determine the constraints and the equation coefficients of the goal programming model. The optimal volume was determined using the goal programming method according to multipurpose forest management. LINGO software was used for analysis. Results indicated that the optimum volumes of species were 250.25 m3.ha-1 for beech, 59 m3.ha-1 for hornbeam, 73 m3.ha-1 for oak, 41 m3.ha-1 for alder, and 32 m3.ha-1 for other species. The total optimum volume is 455.25 m3.ha-1.

Spectral Wave Modeling in Very Shallow Water at Southern Coast of Caspian Sea

This study evaluates the capability of the Simulating WAves Nearshore(SWAN)wave model(version 41.01)in predicting significant wave height and spectral peak energy content for swell waves in very shallow water of surf zone during depth-induced wave breaking and dissipation.The model results were compared with field measurements at five nearshore stations.The results demonstrated that some breaker index formulations were successful for significant wave height prediction in surf zones.However,an incorrect shape of the energy spectrum and overestimated near spectral peak energy content at shallow water stations were obtained using all of the embedded depth-induced wave breaking formulations in SWAN.The dependent breaker index on relative depth(Kpd)formulation,which was successful in predicting near spectral peak energy content,resulted in an average error of 30%.Finally,this formulation was modified to enhance the model performance in reproducing the spectral peak energy content.

Estimation of a basal area growth model for individual trees in uneven-aged Caspian mixed species forests

The aim of this study was to estimate a basal area growth model for individual trees in uneven-aged Caspian forests.A survey was conducted in order to find a natural forest without any harvesting activities,a so called ＇untouched forest＇ and an area was selected from the Iranian Caspian forest.Three sample plots in the same aspect and of the same forest type were selected.In each plot,total tree height,diameter at breast height,distance of neighbor trees and azimuth were measured.Thirty trees were selected and drilled with increment borer to determine the increment model.Regression analysis was used to estimate the growth model.Results show that,for individual trees,there is a significant nonlinear relationship between the annual basal area increment,as the dependent variable,and the basal area.The results also show that the basal area of competing trees has a positive influence on growth.That the increment is higher with more competing neighboring trees is possibly because plots with higher volume per hectare and more competition,most likely also have higher site index or better soil or better site productivity than the plot with lower volume per hectare.

Economic analysis on log damage during logging operation in Caspian Forests

Waste wood was studied in an economic enterprise by logging, function, tree species and log size in four Caspian hardwood sites. Dam- aged logs were recorded with additional information obtained for the location, dimensions and type of damage. The data were analyzed statis- tically to determine significant differences of damage during logging process. The results indicated that animal harvesting systems cause more volume （40.5% of log volume） and value loss （89.5 $.m^-3） to logs than mechanized harvesting systems （13.9% and 6.0 $.m^-3）, also bucking resulted in significantly more volume （9.9% of log volume） and value loss （5.5 $.m-3） when compared to skidding （0.2% of log volume and 0.2 $.m^-3）, decking （0.4% of log volume and 0.2 $.m^-3） and loading （0.2% of log＇s volume and 0.3 $.m^-3） operations. Study showed that the processes of skidding, decking and loading of logs have very little impact on dam- age levels. Volume and value losses of damaged logs are not sensitive to tree species and log size. The information from the field study is impor- tant in creating new guidelines or training to help minimize hardwood log damage during the timber harvesting process.

Effect of crude oil pollution on organic carbon and humus content in grey-brown soils in Mangyshlak, Pre-Caspian Sea Region

The organic carbon and humus content in oil polluted brown and grey-brown soils in Mangyshlak,Pre-Caspian Sea Region,was analyzed from 2000 to 2008.The results indicated that bitumen substances from crude oil pollution deteriorated the soil property,however,the organic carbon content increased significantly.The products of oil pollution changed the composition of car-bonaceous substances which formed soil humus,and changed the ratios of the humus components.Residual insoluble carbon increased with the rise of oil organic carbon.The mobility of humus components was significantly increased because of the high oxidation-reduction process in the topsoil,and the humus content and microorganism activity increased.The organic carbon content increased significantly,while it decreased with the distance away from the oil well.The rearrangement of physical,physical-chemical and chemical properties of the polluted soils was significant.

New methods for processing and interpreting marine magnetic anomalies:Application to structure,oil and gas exploration,Kuril forearc,Barents and Caspian seas

New methods are presented for processing and interpretation of shallow marine differential magnetic data, including constructing maps of offshore total magnetic anomalies with an extremely high reso- lution of up to 1-2 nT, mapping weak anomalies of 5-10 nT caused by mineralization effects at the contacts of hydrocarbons with host rocks, estimating depths to upper and lower boundaries of anom- alous magnetic sources, and estimating thickness of magnetic layers and boundaries of tectonic blocks. Horizontal dimensions of tectonic blocks in the so-called ＂seismic gap＂ region in the central Kuril Arc vary from 10 to 100 km, with typical dimensions of 25-30 km. The area of the ＂seismic gap＂ is a zone of intense tectonic activity and recent volcanism. Deep sources causing magnetic anomalies in the area are similar to the ＂magnetic belt＂ near Hokkaido. In the southern and central parts of Barents Sea, tectonic blocks with widths of 30-100 kin, and upper and lower boundaries of magnetic layers ranging from depths of 10 to 5 km and 18 to 30 km are calculated. Models of the magnetic layer underlying the Mezen Basin in an inland part of the White Sea-Barents Sea paleorift indicate depths to the lower boundary of the layer of 12-30 km. Weak local magnetic anomalies of 2-5 nT in the northern and central Caspian Sea were identified using the new methods, and drilling confirms that the anomalies are related to concentrations of hydrocarbon. Two layers causing magnetic anomalies are identified in the northern Caspian Sea from magnetic anomaly spectra. The upper layer lies immediately beneath the sea bottom and the lower layer occurs at depths between 30-40 m and 150-200 m.

Mud volcanoes in the South Caspian basin: Nature and estimated depth of its products

In paper based on the results of previous studies and latest investigations of mud volcanoes in the South Caspian basin the depth occurrence of fluid, mud and rocks are calculated and modeled. Major factors causing formation of diapirism/mud volcanism in the South Caspian basin are Pliocene-Quaternary high sedimentation rates (up to 3 km/my), super thick sedimentary cover (up to 25-30 km), predominance of clayey rocks (reaching 80%) in the section, low temperatures (with 15℃-18℃/km gradient), overpressures reaching lithostatic, the onset of petroleum generation lowered to considerable depths. The majority of the mud volcanoes are associated with the petroleum bearing structures. Depths where the liquid, gaseous and solid products of mud volcanoes are sourced appear to be different. The gases have the deepest roots (7-15 km) which are the main force in formation and activity of MVs. Source of the fluidized clayey mass does not lie below 3-4 km. Oils emitted by mud volcanoes are the product of destruction of petroleum accumulations occurring beneath them.

Trace Metals in Water Samples Taken from Azerbaijan Sector of Caspian Sea

The present study was conducted to investigate the heavy metal contents （As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Mo, Mn, Rb, Pb, Cu, Ni, V, U and Zn） in seawater samples, which were collected at two c （5 and 100 m）, from 9 different sites of Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. The Agitent 7700x Series ICP-MS （inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry） with HMI （high matrix introduction） system applied to analysis seawater. It was shown, the average concentrations of elements as Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in surface water slightly higher than their concentrations in depth water at 100 m. Practically it is not deference of the Mo, Rb and U average concentrations in surface and 100 m depth column water. There was little variation observed for nickel and vanadium. In contrast the concentrations of As, Ga and Ba in samples taken from 100 m, were significantly higher than the concentration in surface samples. Dependence concentration of elements from water columns depth can be explained in accordance with the geochemical system of classification of dissolved forms of elements in the sea water.

Gorgan Bay： a microcosm for study on macrobenthos speciesenvironment relationships in the southeastern Caspian Sea

The relationship between spatial patterns of macrobenthos community characteristics and environmental conditions（salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, organic matter content, sand, silt and clay） was investigated throughout the Gorgan Bay in June 2010. Principal components analysis（PCA） based on environmental data separated eastern and western stations. The maximum（4 500 ind./m2） and minimum（411 ind./m2） densities were observed at Stas 1 and 6, respectively. Polychaeta was the major group and Streblospio gynobranchiata was dominant species in the bay. According to Distance Based Linear Models results, macrofaunal total density was correlated with silt percentage and salinity and these two factors explaining 64% of the variability while macrofaunal community structure just correlated with salinity（22% total variation）. In general, western part of the bay showed the highest number of species and biodiversity while, the highest density was found at Sta. 1 and in the middle part of the bay. Furthermore, relationship between diversity indices and macrobenthic species with measured factors is also discussed. Our results confirm the effect of salinity as an important factor on distribution of macrobenthic fauna in south Caspian brackish waters.

Investigation of Kiashahr-Dastak Coastline(SW Caspian Sea) Changes Using GIS

In this research,geological and hydrodynamic induced changes in the Kiashahr-Dastak coastal zone (SW Caspian Sea)were investigated based on aerial photographs(1967 and 1993)and ETM satellite images(2002)of the region utilizing GIS based softwares.The results were represented as erosional and sedimenttation maps during this time spam.GIS based studies and field investigations show that

The history and future of the biological resources of the Caspian and the Aral Seas

The term ‘biological resources' here means a set of organisms that can be used by man directly or indirectly for consumption. They are involved in economic activities and represent an important part of a country's raw material potential. Many other organisms are also subject to rational use and protection. They can be associated with true resource species through interspecific relationships. The Caspian and Aral Seas are continental water bodies, giant saline lakes. Both categories of species are represented in the benthic and pelagic communities of the Caspian and Aral Seas and are involved in human economic activities. The most important biological resource of the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea is their ichthyofauna, represented by both aboriginal species and species introduced by man in the 20 th century. Among invertebrates, the main biological resource of these saline lakes is the brine shrimp A rtemia. The physical state of the Caspian as a water body is relatively stable but its biological resources are very seriously af fected by irrational use. The Aral Sea since the second half of the 20 t h century has experienced catastrophic anthropogenic regression, which has led to the almost complete loss of its biological resources due to salinization. However, thanks to efficacious engineering measures, it has now become possible to preserve its northern part(Small Aral) and rehabilitate it, lowering the salinity to its former state. The result has been the restoration of its fish biological resources. In the southern part of Aral(Large Aral), which turned into a group of separated hypersaline reservoirs, the only resource species currently available is the brine shrimp A rtemia. The main environmental threats for biological resources of the future Caspian and Aral as well as potential solutions are considered.

Investigation of Seismotectonics and Seismicity in South of Caspian Sea

In this study region,those fault-lines with northwestern -southeastern trend are the oldest structures of the region,whose formation is believed to date back to orogeny phase of Katanga.Besides the mentioned trend the northwestern southwestern trends also had outcrop in the studied region and recent seismic data indicate that in the studied region the active presence of North Firouzabad transpressional fault-line causes formation of fault scarps and very deep valleys

A basal area increment model for individual trees in mixed continuous cover forests in Iranian Caspian forests

The aim of this study was to develop and test a new basal area growth model in mixed species continuous cover forests in northern Iran.Weanalyzed 421 core samples from 6 main species in the forest area to develop our growth model.In each plot,we measured variables such as total tree height(m),diameter at breast height(DBH)(cm)and basal area of larger trees as cumulative basal areas of trees(GCUM)ofDBH[5 cm.The empirical data were analyzed using regression analysis.There was a statistically significant nonlinear function between the annual basal area increment,as the dependent variable,and the basal area of the individual trees and competition as explanatory variables.Reference area from the largest trees,was circular plot with area of 0.1 ha.GCUM was estimated for trees of DBH>5 cm.Furthermore,we investigated the dependencies of diameter growth of different species on stand density at different levels of competition,and diameter development of individual trees through time.The results indicate that competition caused by larger neighborhood trees has a negative effect on growth.In addition,the maximum diameter increment is affected by competition level.Therefore,the maximum diameter increment of species occurs when the trees are about 35–40 cm in dense-forest(40 to 0 m^2 per ha)and when the trees are about 60 to 70 cm in very dense forest(60 to 0 m^2 per ha)which is more likely to Caspian natural forests with high level density due to uneven-aged composition of stands.

Phytogeography of the northeastern coast of the Caspian Sea:native flora and recent colonizations

The northeastern coast of the Caspian Sea is one of the youngest territories for plant colonization in Kazakhstan,and the flora of the most recent portion of this coastal area,the New Caspian marine plain,was chosen to study phytogeographical characteristics of plant species,especially as related to alien origin and invasive potential.Because of the recent formation of this flora,I expected that a large proportion of the species may be alien and invasive.After compiling a comprehensive species list from previous research,I identified the taxonomic,life form,ecological,and geographical structures of the flora.The area belongs to the northern type of deserts with continental climate and low annual precipitation.Taxonomic and life form structures show that the flora is specific to Central Asian deserts.Ecological structure demonstrates a high percentage of halophytes,which resulted from their adaptation to soil salinity and shallow ground waters that occur throughout the study area.Geoelements of the flora indicate allochtonous properties of the flora （i.e.species derived from areas outside the study area） with a low proportion of native （Caspian） plants.Alien species are estimated to comprise 12％-19％ of the flora.Although some species have invasive features,severe arid environmental conditions and high salinity of soils and ground waters decrease invasive capacity of exotic plants.However,a threat of expansion of potentially invasive plants exists in the New Caspian marine plain due to the fast growth of anthropogenic habitats associated with recent oil developments.

Investigation of T Factor Variations along Atrak River to the Caspian Sea

The study area has located on Atrak river basin in the Iran-Turkmenistan border zone that is the greatest river on the southeastern margin of Caspian Sea. The study area was divided into 56 sub-basins and then T factors were calculated for all streams of the Atrak river. T factor is a geomorphic index for tilting identification by active tectonics. Our results show that, there are low, moderate and high relative tectonic activities levels. Low relative tectonic activities level has been found in sub-basins No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 23, 25, 41 and 51, moderate relative tectonic activities level has been found in sub-basins No. 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55 and 56 and high relative tectonic activities level has been found in sub-basins No. 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 22, 26, 27, 33, 36, 37, 38, 44, 45 and 54. Also, most part of the study area has got moderate tectonic activity that it is compatible with its tectonic setting on the Kopetdagh belt in Iran. It is shows that some sub-basins on the western parts of study area that river has got west-east trending, are more active. But, some sub-basins on the eastern parts of study area that river has got northwest-southeast trending, are less active. It means that migration direction of the most streams are toward north and south and the major faults and folds in the western parts of study area caused river tilting be perpendicular to structural trend. This variation along the most important river on the northeastern part of Iran was analyzed for the first time in this research.

Life history pattern of mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki (Girard, 1859) in the Tajan River (Southern Caspian Sea to Iran)

Investigation of the ecology of introduced species in new habitats can allow determinations of the degree, direction, and rate of evolutionary change. The introduction of Gambusia holbrooki in the southern Caspian Sea presents such a situation. We evaluated the life history traits of mosquitofish in the Tajan River basin. A total of 744 G. holbrooki specimens were collected between January and December 2008. The maximum observed ages are 0+ years for males and 1+ years for females. Both sexes grew allometrically (negative for males: b=2.442 and positive for females: b=3.232). The overall sex ratio is unbalanced and dominated by females. GSI values suggest that this population of G. holbrooki matures between February–July. The highest mean GSI value is 1.80 for males and 15.97 for females in May. Egg diameter ranges from 1.00 to 3.00 mm with a mean value of 2.098 mm. Absolute fecundity varied from 7 to 57 eggs. Both ova diameter and absolute fecundity were positively correlated to fish size (length and weight). Fecundity relative to total weight fluctuated from 34.44 to 582.64 eggs/g, and to total length from 2.33 to 12.95 eggs/cm. Both were negatively correlated with female size. The characteristics of this population are important with respect to life history of the species.

Atmospheric diabatic heating–induced wave train from the Caspian Sea to South and East Asia during the summer monsoon season

During the summer monsoon season,the authors observe a wave train that stretches from the northern Arabian Peninsula and Caspian Sea to the Indo-Gangetic plains along the foothills of the Himalaya and extending further east of the Tibetan Plateau.The trend analysis between 1979 and 2018 with NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data show that the diabatic heating flux(averaged over 1000 to 500 hPa)tends to decrease significantly over the Caspian Sea and its surrounding regions.In addition,the sea level pressure is increasing by^0.1 hPa yr-1 over the Caspian Sea,forming a high-pressure divergent center over there.The divergent center is collocated with an anticyclonic circulation trend at 850 hPa over the Caspian Sea.This decreasing diabatic heating flux modulates the local atmospheric circulation by increasing the surface pressure around the center of divergence,which further facilitates a wave train to propagate towards South and East Asia.This wave train transports the moisture fluxes at 925 h Pa from the Caspian Sea,southeastward towards the South and East Asian monsoon region.