Sediment and water influxes into the Black Sea by Anatolian rivers

Abstract

Average annual sediment load and water inputs of the Anatolian rivers are estimated at 24 million t/y (ca 20 % of the total sediment carried into the Black Sea) and 40 km(3)/y. This load was 53 million t/y before 1988, when two dam constructions were completed near the mouths of the Yesilirmak and Kizilirmak Rivers. Most of the sediment is carried by rivers of the central and eastern sections of the Black Sea coast. The North Anatolian (Pontic) Mountain ranges parallel to the coast are the major sources of sediment. Sediment yields and water discharges reflect altitude and amount of precipitation, decreasing from east to west in the Black Sea coastal Region. A major part of the fluvial sediment yield from the central and eastern regions is first deposited in the continental shelf and then rapidly transported to the deep basin via submarine canyons. Seasonal variation of the fluvial sediment inputs matches well with the cyclicity of the black lamination in the last 3,000 years.