* The author is employed at the United Nations Environment Programme’s Regional Office for Europe. The paper is presented by the author in her personal capacity, however, and opinions expressed in this paper should be attributed to the author. They are not meant to represent the positions or opinions of UNEP or the State Parties to the Framework Convention on the Protection of the Marine Enviro...

The predatory cladoceran Cercopagis pengoi has extended its range over the past decade from the Ponto-Caspian basin into the Baltic Sea and the Laurentian Great Lakes. This study employs mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence analysis to elucidate the invasion corridors exploited during this range expansion. The Caspian and Black Sea populations of C. pengoi exhibit marked genetic divergence, enabl...

Caspian Sea is the largest land locked water body in the world and has been characterized by significant relative sea-level changes since the Pliocene. The sea-level oscillations have strongly impacted the coastal areas depending on geomorphological setting. This study aims to investigate the impacts of sea level oscillations on low-lying coasts of the southeastern flank of the Caspian Sea...

This study evaluated the feasibility of a drowning intervention package in northern Islamic Republic of Iran. A quasi-experimental design used pre- and post-observations among residents and tourists in water-recreation beach areas of intervention and control regions by the Caspian Sea and in residents near the Caspian Sea coastline. The fatal drowning rate in the studied resident population in ...

The interaction between sea and atmosphere has profound effects on the regions climate. Meanwhile, the sea surface temperature is considered as one of the most effective components of water bodies, and the controller of many atmospheric behaviors. Because of the importance of sea surface temperatures effects on atmospheric elements and also given the role of global warming on land and sea surfa...

the caspian sea region, because of the proximity of two permanent powers - russia and iran- and the emergence of newly independent republics, is one of the most dynamic places in the world. in addition, the continuity of interests of other global actors, including the united states and europe, with the coastal countries has added to the complexity and dynamics. in this regard, the region energy...

The Ponto-Caspian amphipod Obesogammarus obesus (Sars, 1894) was first recorded in the Rhine River near Koblenz, Germany in October 2004. Additional records of small numbers of O. obesus from the same location in 2005 and 2006 indicate that this alien species may have become established in the central section of the Rhine River. Ship transport via the Main-Danube Canal, connecting the Danube ba...

Feeding habits of Caspian marine shad Alosa braschnikowii (Borodin, 1904), inhabiting in the western part of Caspian Sea such as prey spectrum and seasonal dynamics have been studied. As in other parts of Caspian Sea, throughout the year, the main hunt of Caspian marine shad constituted kilkas, gobies and shrimps while other groups of zoobenthos were represented in a lesser extent. Importance o...

Mitochondria1 DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences were analyzed to evaluate the population genetic structure of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) in Caspian Sea. A total of 45 specimens were collected from the different locations of the Caspian Sea. MtDNA control region was amplified using PCR. Direct sequencing was performed according standard method. The results showed that 12 haplotypes...