Publisher's Synopsis
The Black Sea is a water body in a unique environmental situation: several great European and Asian rivers (and a huge number of smaller ones) flow into it, while its only connection with the global sea system is through the very narrow and shallow strait of the Bosphorus. This effectively makes the Black Sea a dumping basin with negative environmental consequences for both the seawater and the coastal area. Since the pollution of the Black Sea and the related environmental problems originate not just in the coastal areas but mainly in the associated river basins, solutions must be sought in a more general context, covering the entire sea catchment. This approach was accepted as a guiding philosophy by the organizers of the Fourth International Black Sea Conference, which was devoted to reviewing the water supply and wastewater collection and treatment technologies as well as other management tools needed for the solution of the problems in the region. These proceedings contain 29 papers selected after full peer review from the large and high-quality programme of platform and poster papers. They cover the main themes of the conference: environmental monitoring and identification of pollution sources; legislation on sea water quality and the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan; wastewater treatment technologies in coastal areas; impact of the Danube River basin on Black Sea water pollution; integrated coastal zone management. The papers embody the integrated approach, bringing together experts from various professional fields, that has become the hallmark of the Black Sea conferences. They will offer keen insights and experience for any researchers, engineers or regulators addressing issues of catchment management or coastal pollution, as well as providing a benchmark examination of the Black Sea water environment.
