Study regarding the quality monitoring of the physical-chemical and biological components from Danube Delta and the adjacent coastline considering the transboundary impact of the Bastroe channel, during 2010-present, and the environment consequences analysis in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation and the adjacent coastline determined by the Bastroe Project

In 2004, Ukraine decided to commence the execution of the deep sea channel construction on the Chilia and Bastroe branches without notifying Romania, considering that the project had no transboundary implications, although the Investigation Commission that carried out its activity between 2005 – 2006 identified several possible transboundary effects such as impact on the hydrology of the area, causing disturbances to the fish habitats and impacts on bird habitats as a result of the dredging and construction works in the area. The Investigation Commission concluded that the identified impact will continue subsequent to the implementation of the Ukrainian channel (during the exploitation period), therefore it was recommended to elaborate and implement a plan for monitoring the present and future effects of the Bastroe project. The studies elaborated in 2008-2009 revealed significant changes in the hydrological regime on the Chilia branch after 2004, which confirms one of the conclusions of the Investigation Commission.

Consequently, in 2013 it was necessary to prepare a study regarding the monitoring of the quality of physical-chemical and biological components from the Danube Delta and the adjacent coastal area in the context of the transboundary impact produced by the Bastroe Channel. The data provided by the continuous monitoring of these components helped to substantiate Romania’s position in the Romanian-Ukrainian bilateral meetings as well as in the meetings of the Espoo Convention regarding the transboundary impact of the Bastroe Channel, providing an overview of the monitored effects of the deep-sea navigable Danube-Black Sea channel, constructed by Ukraine in the Danube Delta.

For the characterization of the water factor the following parameters were analyzed: hydrological regime and hydrology of the Chilia branch by comparing the period between 1995-2002 with the 2004-2012 period, water chemistry in the Danube Delta and the adjacent coastal area and the morphological changes in the area (Danube Delta, Chilia branch, Romanian coastline of the Black Sea), due to the execution and activities carried out on the deep-sea Danube-Black Sea channel.

To determine the biological (hydrobiological) quality, researches regarding the status of habitats in the adjacent delta and marine areas were performed for the following biological components: phytoplankton, macrophytes, zooplankton and aquatic macro-invertebrates. Also, various investigations were carried out on the dynamics of fish populations, bird populations and species of amphibians, reptiles, mammals considering the impact of the disturbing factors in the study area, and also regarding the conservation status of habitats (feeding places, reproduction, etc.).

Considering the wide range of information available, various ecological effects were anticipated for the Romanian Danube Delta, corresponding to the competence area of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve as well as to the neighboring marine region

The general objective of the project was to study the quality evolution of physical-chemical and biological components from the Danube Delta and the adjacent coastal area under the influence of natural and anthropogenic pressures, due to the implementation of activities on the deep-sea Danube-Black Sea channel (Bastroe channel).

The specific objectives of the project include:

• Characterization of the hydrological regime on the Chilia branch and assessment of the morphological changes in the area (Danube Delta, Chilia branch, Romanian coastline of the Black Sea) due to the execution and activities carried out on the Danube-Black Sea channel;
• Researches regarding the status of habitats in the adjacent delta and marine areas, focusing on evaluating the conservation status of the habitats of interest;
• Evaluation of fish population dynamics, impact factors, conservation status of habitats (feeding, breeding sites, etc.) due to the disturbing factors from the studied area;
• Assessing the dynamics of bird populations, adaptation methods to disturbing factors in the study area and determining the conservation status of habitats (feeding, wintering, nesting, resting);

Evaluation of the numerical and spatial dynamics trend of the amphibian, reptile and mammal species from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (RBDD).

The implementation of the project determined the following results:

• Characterization of hydrological regime – hydrology of the Chilia branch;
• Analysis of the water levels on the Chilia branch (long-term curves), comparing the 1995-2002 period with the 2004-2012 period;
• Analysis of the physical-chemical and biological quality indicators determined for the 2010-2012 period;
• Evaluations over time (1995 – 2012) of the Chilia – Stambulul Vechi – Musura Branch morphodynamics;
• Assessing the status of the habitats specific to phytoplankton, macrophytes, zooplankton and aquatic macro-invertebrates, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals in the area adjacent to the delta as well as in the marine areas;
• Assessment of the conservation status of the following species: phytoplankton, macrophytes, zooplankton and aquatic macro-invertebrates, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals in the studied area;
• Assessing the dynamics of phytoplankton, macrophytes, zooplankton and aquatic macro-invertebrates, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals and their ability to adapt to the disturbing factors identified in the studied area;
• Analysis of the consequences of the Bastroe channel construction;
• Elaboration of proper solutions to reduce the impact of the Bastroe channel on the Danube Delta.