European Broad-Scale Seabed Habitat Maps Support Implementation of Ecosystem-Based Management

We have analyzed the development of “Broad-Scale Seabed Habitat Maps” (BSHM) and their potential use in a European context with regard to the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) implementation, MPA designation and network assessment as well as other applications of BSHMs. The analyses are anchored in BSHMs developed by a series of interlinked EU projects (e.g. UKSeaMap, BALANCE, MESH, Mesh Atlantic, EUSeaMap 2012, and EUSeaMap 2016) and all maps are based on environmental data. Some EU Member States have used BSHMs as part of their MSFD Initial Assessments published in 2012. However, we conclude that BSHMs are a prerequisite for another key MSFD activity, i.e. mapping of potentially cumulative effects of multiple human stressors. Further, BSHMs seem to play a growing role with regard to evidence-based assessments of MPAs. With the upcoming second round of MSFD Initial Assessments due in 2018, including assessment of potentially cumulative pressures, there seems to be an increasing need for more BSHMs nationally, regionally and on a European scale.

Heavy metal concentrations in macroalgae species from Sinop coasts of the Southern Black Sea

Objective:To determine the concentrations of Fe,Zn,Ni,Cu,Mn,Pb,Cd and Co in macroalgae from Sinop coasts of the Sounthern Black Sea.Methods:Chlorophyta-green algae(Chaetomorpha spp.,Cladophora spp.,Ulva linza,Ulva intestinalis,Ulva lactuca,Ulva rigida);Ochrophyta-brown alga[Cystoseira barbata(C.barbata)]and Rhodophyta-red algae(Ceramium spp.,Corallina panizzoi)were collected seasonally in the year 2010 from the upper infralittoral zone of inner harbour,outer harbour,Gerze and Ayancık of Sinop coasts of the Black Sea.The samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer in order to determine heavy metal levels in different algal division species along Sinop coasts and to provide information of marine environment quality as marine strategy framework directive is aimed to ensure good environmental status of the seas by 2020 in the European Union.Results:The results showed that metal concentrations in all studied green algae,brown alga and red algae increase in the order:Cd<Co<Ni<Pb<Cu<Zn<Mn<Fe,Cd<Co<Cu<Ni<Pb<Mn<Zn<Fe and Co<Cd<Ni<Cu<Pb<Mn<Zn<Fe,respectively.In all divisions,among the essential elements the highest concentrations exhibited by Fe,in Gerze station-(2328±89)μg/g dry weight in Chaetomorpha spp.;(2143±78)μg/g dry weight in C.barbata and(968±20)μg/g dry weight in Ceramium spp.Conclusions:The highest accumulation of different metals in the analysed algae species were:Fe and Co in Chaetomorpha spp.,Zn in C.barbata,Ni and Cu in Ulva linza,Mn in Ulva intestinalis,Pb and Cd in Corallina panizzoi.