Recurrent Droughts in the Black Sea Region During the Miocene Neogene

Recurrent phases of drought in the upper Miocene of the Black Sea region

Authors:

Vasiliev et al

Abstract:

Since the Miocene the Black Sea proved to be highly sensitive to fluctuations in the hydrological cycle because of its recurrent restricted connections with the open ocean and the location between the dry Mediterranean and more humid higher northern latitudes. Although the Black Sea formed one of the foci of the 1975 Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 42B, robust tools to reconstruct past changes in its hydrological cycle were lacking at that time. Here we revisit the sedimentary succession (Hole 380A) and determined compound-specific carbon (δ13C) hydrogen isotope ratios (δD) of terrestrial and aquatic biomarkers to investigate changes in the hydrological budget of the Black Sea during the late Miocene. The δ13C and δD isotopic composition of n-alkanes as well as alkenones and palynology indicate large environmental changes in the Black Sea and/or in the sources of the water entering the Black Sea during the late Miocene. The δD of alkenones, showing an enrichment of more than 80 ‰ at the end of the Miocene, implies a major shift in basin hydrology, possibly resulting in severely increased salinity. These changes in δD composition of the alkenones coincide with both with sharp shifts in reconstructed sea surface temperature and palynological assemblages. Two intervals with negative water budget were identified, most likely caused by enhanced evaporation. The older and longer dry/evaporative phase predates the Maeotian/Pontian boundary (regional stages) at ~ 6.1 Ma. The younger drying phase corresponds to the Messinian salinity crisis. This shift to highly evaporative conditions is related to a similar shift previously observed in a Messinian (Pontian) sedimentary succession from the Taman peninsula (Russia). These recurrent dry phases likely reflect regional climatic shifts over a significantly larger area around the Black Sea area during the upper Miocene.

Russia Plans Two More Kilo Class Subs, Another Frigate for Black Sea Fleet

Russia plans to add a new frigate and two new diesel electric submarines (SSKs) to its Black Sea Fleet by years end, the head of the Russian Navy said on Monday.

The Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate and two Improved Kilo-class (Varshavyanka-class) SSKs will commission by the end of the year, Commander-in-Chief, Adm. Viktor Chirkov told Russian news outlet RIA Novosti in a Monday interview.

“The Black Sea Fleet will receive two out of six Varshavyanka-class boats by the end of the year,” he said.
“In addition, we are planning to raise the flag on the first out of six Project 1135.6 frigates by the same time.”

The plan is part of a previously announced $2.4 billion Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet expansion planned to be completed in 2020.

All told, the Russian Navy plans for 11 ships, including the two Kilos, an additional frigate, two Grachonok-class patrol craft and six other service and support vessels, according to local press.

The Russian Navy’s current fleet is composed of few capital ships and is oriented toward anti-submarine warfare and minesweeping.

link.

Miocene Black Sea-Pebbly Breccia Desiccation Predates the Mediterranean Messinian Salinity Crisis

Black Sea desiccation during the Messinian Salinity Crisis: Fact or fiction?

Authors:

Arjen et al

Abstract:

The late Miocene Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) was an extraordinary geologic event in the Mediterranean Basin marked by massive salt accumulation and presumably basin desiccation as a consequence of the reduced water exchange with the Atlantic Ocean. The discovery of a desiccation deposit in the Black Sea, the so-called Pebbly Breccia unit, was used to claim that the Black Sea also became desiccated during the MSC. Erosional features interpreted from seismic profiles of the Black Sea margin, correlated by some to the Pebbly Breccia unit, were used to support this hypothesis. However, the age of the Pebbly Breccia is poorly constrained, and its origin and relevance to the MSC subject to controversy. Here we present new biostratigraphic (dinoflagellate cyst) data from two key sedimentary successions located in a deep and a marginal setting of the Black Sea Basin. These records demonstrate that the Pebbly Breccia predates the Mediterranean water-level drop during the MSC. We argue that the presumed erosional features in the Black Sea Basin are not related to the MSC and likely represent an older Miocene event.

Russia Investing $2.4 Billion in Black Sea Fleet

Russia is to invest RUB86.7 billion (USD2.4 billion) in developing the Black Sea Fleet within the framework of the Federal Target Programme (FTP) activity 'Creation of [a] basing system for the Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Russia 2005-20', Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu announced at a Ministry of Defence (MoD) meeting on 6 May.

As part of this naval infrastructure development, 48 facilities are already operational in the fleet's base at Novorossiysk, and at the fleet's Coastal Forces bases in Temryuk and Utash. The FTP is now to be readjusted following Russia's annexation of Crimea. A work programme for the fleet is to be completed by the end of June.

link.

Neandertals Loved Salmon

Were bears or lions involved in salmon accumulation in the Middle Palaeolithic of the Caucasus? An isotopic investigation in Kudaro 3 cave

Authors:

Bocherens et al

Abstract:

Bone fragments of large anadromous salmon in the Middle Palaeolithic archaeological layers of Kudaro 3 cave (Caucasus) suggested fish consumption by archaic Hominins, such as Neandertals. However, large carnivores such as Asiatic cave bears (Ursus kudarensis) and cave lions (Panthera spelaea) were also found in the cave and could have been responsible for such an accumulation. The diet of these carnivores was evaluated using carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotopes in faunal bone collagen. The results suggest that anadromous fish were neither part of the diet of either cave bear (vegetarian) or cave lion (predators of herbivores from arid areas) and therefore provide indirect support to the idea that Middle Palaeolithic Hominins, probably Neandertals, were able to consume fish when it was available.

The Role of Russia's Black Sea Fleet

The Russian military analyst Prokhor Tebin has put together a very useful article explaining Crimea’s military significance for Russia. He highlights the Black Sea’s economic significance for Russia: Russia’s Black Sea commercial ports carry 30 percent of its total maritime exports. The Black Sea also provides the closest access for Russia to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean, which is important for both economic and geopolitical reasons. Tebin points out that the Black Sea Fleet is needed to ensure that access, as well as to deal with potential instability in the Caucasus. It will also serve as a logistics hub for the Mediterranean task force that the Russian navy has decided to form, though ships for the task force will come from other fleets as well. He ranks the fleet third in importance for the Russian Navy, behind the Northern and Pacific Fleets, but ahead of the Baltic Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla.

link.

Ukraine: Tidal Peak?

To start off with, a picture of the Ukrainian Marines in Feodosia.  They look more like Brits than American Jarheads, but they held out.

Speaking of Feodosia, the Russian troops may have pulled back.  There are reports there and elsewhere in Crimea of the Russian troops leaving.  This does NOT include the so-called Crimean Defense Forces, the troops without flags on their uniforms.

There are reports the Russian troops might have merely moved into concealed positions.

The French tried to get the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers to talk.  The Russians refused even when they were in the same building to meet with the Ukrainians.  

The Europeans have offered another $15 billion to support Kiev.  This is on top of the $1 billion from the US.  Neither of these figures includes whatever the IMF decides to offer.  

The Turks have reportedly granted permission for US warships to pass through the Bosporus.  However, I have not seen any indication that the USS Bush is going to be let through.

The Russians are threatening to confiscate American assets in Russia.  

The UN special envoy Serri was accosted by pro Russian 'activists' and sent on a plane from Crimea to  Istanbul.

The commander of the Ukrainian border guards in Crimea was kidnapped, too.