This paper represents the results of a case study of the interaction between sea level rise (SLR), subsidence and the consequences of this phenomenon on fresh water resources that may be subject to exacerbated salt-water intrusion. The possible reasons for rapid SLR at the permanent tide gauge station located on the southern coast of the Marmara Sea have been investigated based on time series data recorded since 1984. The population in the region relies mainly on groundwater resources for urban, tourism and agricultural water use, which represents a severe risk with regard to the replenishment of the coastal aquifer. Based on the findings, appropriate methods of assessing the coastal vulnerability to future SLR and recommendations for coastal zone management with emphasis on the protection of water resources are discussed.

Bassler-Veit, B.; Barut, I.F.; Meric, E.; Avsar, N.; Nazik, A.; Kapan-Yeşilyurt, S., and Yildiz, A., 2013. Distribution of microflora, meiofauna, and macrofauna assemblages in the hypersaline environment of northeastern Aegean Sea coasts. In this study, the morphology and taxonomy of microflora (charophytes and diatoms), meiofauna (benthic foraminifera and ostracoda), and macrofauna (mollusk) assemblages of the recent surface sediments from saltpans, hypersaline lagoons, and salt lakes of the Gulf of Saros (NW Turkey) were investigated. In total, 44 samples were collected from recent surface sediments in salt pans, hypersaline lagoons, and salt lakes of the Gulf of Saros (Enez Salt Lake, Isik Lake, Kuvalak Lake, Enez Gala Lake, Dalyan Lake, and Tasaltı Lake; Karagol, Vakif, and Erikli salt pans; and Uzungol Lagoon), Gallipoli Peninsula (salt pan), Biga Peninsula (Diremin and Azmak Lagoons and Dalyan Salt Lake), and Gokceada Island (salt lake). Surface sediments were collected, and some physical p...

SummaryMarine or freshwater mussel species are found in large quantities around populated areas and accumulate metals in aquatic systems. Therefore, these organisms are used to monitor environmental pollution. Mytilus galloprovincialis is a generally accepted bioindicator of metal pollution and is used in this study. The aim of this study is to determine the changes in the environmental conditions since antiquity. M. galloprovincialis shells were used to monitor Chalcolithic pollution levels in Yarimburgaz Cave, one of the oldest settlements in Europe. Recent samples were collected from 12 stations on the coasts of the Northern Marmara Sea and the Bosphorus between May–September 2004. The environmental pollution substantially changed over the last 7500 years. The comparison of the geochemical characteristics of the environmental pollution observed in the Chalcolithic period and today revealed that pollution from both household and industrial chemicals has increased in Istanbul