Long-term changes in Sevastopol Bay (the Black Sea) with particular reference to the ichthyoplankton and zooplankton

Interdisciplinary physical, chemical and planktonic studies in 1998 showed that the: growth in anthropogenic inputs over the previous 25 years has led to an increase in nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and total suspended matter co ntent, and to a decrease in oxygen concentration of the near bottom layer i n Sevastopol Bay. The situation has been exacerbated by the construction of seawalls narrowing the exit channel. of the Bay. There has also been a mar ked decline in species diversity, in zoo- and ichthyoplankton abundance and an increase in mortality of planktonic organisms. The result is that Sevas topol Bay has lost its importance as a fishery. (C) 2001 Academic Press.