EU helps research coastal pollution in Black Sea

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are embarking on unique research project of organic pollutants and large-scale marine litter in the ‪Black Sea‬ region. ‬‬

The top scientists from Georgia, Ukraine and five EU member states will research the Black Sea and its coastal environment in Georgia and Ukraine.

The research aimed to improve environmental monitoring in the Black Sea region and this year’s research involved Georgia for the first time.

Romanian research vessel Mare Nigrum is a vital part of the research. The ship departed from Odessa on the Ukrainian side of the Black Sea on May 23 and will arrive in Georgia’s coastal city Batumi on May 27.

The top scientists from Georgia, Ukraine and five EU member states will research the Black Sea and its coastal environment in Georgia and Ukraine. Photo by UNDP Ukraine.

During its journey the Mare Nigrum will collect samples of sea water. The ship and its crew will also measure environmental parameters in the economic zones of Georgia and Ukraine, as well as in deep waters in the central part of the Black Sea.

The Black Sea research involves governmental and academic agencies from Ukraine and Georgia, including Georgia’s National Environment Agency (NEA).