Sustaining development in the black sea region . A sea of changing fortunes

Recently uncovered scientific evidence suggests that more than 7000 years ago, in the aftermath of the last glacial period, the level of the Black Sea rose dramatically. More than 150 meters and 100,000 km2 of land was submerged underwater in a matter of months. Whether it was indeed a sudden natural catastrophe or proceeded gradually as the global sea level rose, the inflow of Mediterranean waters over the Bosphorus sill changed the Black Sea from a huge brackish lake to a salty sea. A strong stratification effectively locked into place its heavier salty waters below the fresh water brought in by the rivers, preventing any significant mixing. The sea's bottom water became anoxic (lacking dissolved oxygen) and lost their life-supporting capacity. But in the surface layers a rich marine life developed. Then, about three decades ago, biodiversity and fish stocks began to dwindle. A new crisis, this time provoked by humans, was facing the Black Sea. Within this historical backdrop, a multi-disciplinary group of organizations, including the IAEA, through its technical co-operation programme and its Marine Environment Laboratory in Monaco, have been working to help address the Black Sea's pressing environmental problems. This article reviews major activities within the IAEA's programmes for sustaining development in the Black Sea region