Marine ecosystems are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cumulative anthropogenic effects and pressures. Therefore, various methodological approaches and tools have been designed to apply cumulative impact appraisal schemes and better assess the dynamics and interactions among pressures affecting marine ecosystems. This study aims to apply the Spatial Cumulative Assessment of Impact Risk for Management (SCAIRM) tool for the Black Sea coastal waters considering human activities, pressures, and effects on different ecosystem components coupled with one management scenario development for actual and new emerging sectors. According to the SCAIRM, the primary pressure on the marine ecosystem was identified as introducing or spreading non-indigenous species from shipping. Additionally, when considering cumulative impact, activities related to coastal defense and flood protection, particularly beach nourishment works, were found to have the highest impact. This is due to the cumulative scores associated with the physical loss from permanent alteration or removal of seabed substrates, and temporary or reversible physical disturbances to the seabed. The scenario development indicated that after shipping, oil and gas exploitation is anticipated to become the second-highest risk sector for additional impact in the Romanian Black Sea. Additionally, the increased military activities related to the war in Ukraine present escalating risks that must be considered in EBM strategies. The results assess the possible effects of human activities and the associated pressures to direct management toward achieving sustainability, biodiversity protection, and the marine ecosystem’s integrity.

This study presents the first scientific evaluation of food web integrity in the Black Sea under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptor 4 (Food Webs), utilizing zooplankton indicators to assess the environmental status during the warm season (May to October) from 2018 to 2023. The research aims to analyze trophic interactions, biodiversity patterns, and ecological stability by examining three key indicators: the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Copepoda biomass, and Mnemiopsis leidyi biomass. The findings reveal that the Shannon–Wiener diversity index failed to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) in any of the four Marine Reporting Units (MRUs), suggesting insufficient community diversity and potential ecological imbalances. Copepoda biomass met GES criteria only in marine and offshore waters, indicating spatial variability in copepod population stability across the Black Sea. Meanwhile, M. leidyi biomass remained within GES thresholds in all MRUs, suggesting that its population levels do not currently threaten the food web, despite its known invasive impact. This study provides critical baseline data on food web structure and dynamics in the Black Sea, offering a scientifically grounded framework for future ecological monitoring and management strategies. The results emphasize the need for targeted conservation efforts and adaptive management approaches to enhance the ecological health of the Black Sea in alignment with MSFD objectives.

Plastic pollution is a global concern that has a significant impact on marine life. Plastic is widely used and has become a pervasive pollutant in marine environments. Plastic contamination has been documented both in marine environments and biota. Plastic contamination in cetacean gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) content has received limited attention, especially in the Black Sea. This study aims to investigate plastic contamination in the GITs of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises, introducing a novel methodology. Given the limited exploration of this issue in the Black Sea, the research predominantly focuses on microplastic contamination. The GITs were sampled through necropsy from stranded and by-caught cetaceans, and content was washed through a multi-sieves tool. The material retained on each sieve was analysed following specific protocols. All (100%) of the GITs contained plastics (meso- and microplastics). In total, 1059 items (fibres, fragments, and beads) ranging from 22.86 µm to 5776 µm were found, suggesting a high contamination level in the Black Sea cetaceans. Future efforts should concentrate on increasing the number of samples and using the results for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

Alosa immaculata Bennett, 1835, commonly referred to as the Danube shad, is an anadromous pelagic species of the Clupeidae family, and plays a significant economic role for countries bordering the Black Sea. This study investigates the occurrence of both parasites and microplastics in A. immaculata specimens collected from Sfântu Georghe, with the aim of assessing their potential impact on fish health. The overall physiological condition of the fish was evaluated using Fulton’s condition factor (K) to determine whether the presence of parasites or microplastics had any measurable effect. Five parasitic genera were identified, including one ectoparasitic species from the genus Mazocraes, and four endoparasitic species from the genera Pronoprymna, Lecithaster, Hysterotylacium, and Contracaecum. Microplastic analysis showed a dominance of particles measuring 1–5 mm (62.5%), with fibers and foils being the only morphological forms detected. The most common colors were black (45%), transparent (35%), blue (12.5%), and brown (7.5%). The distribution of microplastics was higher in the stomach than intestines. Our findings offer critical insights into the combined effects of parasitic infection and microplastic pollution on this key Black Sea species. The integrated methodology, combining parasite load, microplastic content, and condition factor analysis, marks a novel approach in fish health assessment.

The marine copepod Acartia tonsa is an important bioindicator in ecotoxicological studies due to its sensitivity to pollutants and ecological importance. This research evaluates the effects of reference toxicant on the survival of A. tonsa, aiming to validate an in-house method that assesses the sensitivity and reliability of the species for testing in the Black Sea. A. tonsa individuals were exposed in controlled laboratory conditions to varying 3,5-dichlorophenol (reference toxicant) concentrations, with their survival rates monitored over 48 h. Survival data were analyzed to determine the lethal concentration (LC50), a metric for assessing toxicity. The derived LC50 values offer important benchmarks for assessing the environmental impact of different effluent discharges in the Black Sea region. The outcomes will contribute to improving the accuracy and consistency of environmental monitoring and risk assessment practices in the Black Sea region, ensuring that variations in toxicity data are attributable to environmental factors rather than methodological discrepancies.

This study investigates how environmental gradients shape the structure and interactions of coastal biotic assemblages in the Romanian Black Sea. A multi-trophic analysis was conducted across a network of stations in June 2023, integrating phytoplankton, microzooplankton, mesozooplankton, macrozooplankton, ichthyoplankton, and macrozoobenthos with key physico-chemical parameters. Principal component analysis revealed strong north–south contrasts: the northern sector was characterized by nutrient enrichment (nitrate, ammonium, and silicate) supporting phytoplankton blooms and microzooplankton peaks, while the southern sector showed more saline conditions and extended trophic coupling from phytoplankton through mesozooplankton to ichthyoplankton. The central sector appeared transitional, with community structure more closely related to oxygen and phosphate levels. In the north and south, plankton dynamics were strongly linked to nutrient availability, while macrozooplankton consistently aligned with salinity and silicate, reflecting their preference for more marine waters and partial decoupling from nutrient-driven pathways. Fuzzy Cognitive Map analysis indicated combined bottom-up and top-down control, with phytoplankton supporting mesozooplankton and macrozooplankton exerting strong negative pressure. Phytoplankton functioned as the main network driver, with mesozooplankton as the central mediator, and the persistent negative macrozooplankton effect suggests direct biological regulation beyond salinity influence. These findings highlight the dual structuring of Black Sea food webs and provide an integrative, multi-trophic baseline for ecosystem-based management and Marine Strategy Framework Directive Descriptor 4 (Food webs) implementation.