Transformation of Poti Coastal Ecosystem: Impact of Eutrophication on Biodiversity and Recreational Potential

Authors

  • Marina Macharashvili Associate Professor at the Georgian Technical University; Senior Researcher at the Tsotne Mirtskhulava Water Management Institute of the same university.
  • Olga Kharaishvili Associate Professor at the Georgian Technical University; Senior Researcher at the Tsotne Mirtskhulava Water Management Institute of the same university.
  • Erekle Kecxoshvili Georgian Technical University; Senior Researcher at the Tsotne Mirtskhulava Water Management Institute of the same university.
  • Maia Kikabidze Associate Professor at the Georgian Technical University; Researcher at the Tsotne Mirtskhulava Water Management Institute of the same university.
  • Lali Baidauri Associate Professor at the Georgian Technical University.
  • Ketevan Rokva Associate Professor at the Georgian Technical University.
  • Natia Sukhishvili Associate Professor at the Georgian Technical University.
  • Tamtam Natenadze Master of Agricultural Sciences and Chemical Technology at the Georgian Technical University.
  • Tsisia Kobaladze Master of Agricultural Sciences and Chemical Technology at the Georgian Technical University.
  • Ucha Jagodnishvili Undergraduate student of Agricultural Sciences and Chemical Technology at the Georgian Technical University.
  • Nika Keburia Master of Agricultural Sciences and Chemical Technology at the Georgian Technical University.

Keywords:

Poti, Black Sea, eutrophication, algae, Rioni, biodiversity, Maltakva

Abstract

This article explores the processes of anthropogenic eutrophication occurring in the Poti coastal zone (eastern part of the Black Sea). The paper analyzes the impact of the Rioni River runoff and urban pressure on water quality. Based on field-visual monitoring, hotspots of hyperproduction of opportunistic algae (e.g., Ulva lactuca) have been identified. The study highlights the negative impact of ecosystem degradation on the region's recreational potential and offers preventive recommendations.

Published

2026-04-13

How to Cite

Marina Macharashvili, Olga Kharaishvili, Erekle Kecxoshvili, Maia Kikabidze, Lali Baidauri, Ketevan Rokva, Natia Sukhishvili, Tamtam Natenadze, Tsisia Kobaladze, Ucha Jagodnishvili, & Nika Keburia. (2026). Transformation of Poti Coastal Ecosystem: Impact of Eutrophication on Biodiversity and Recreational Potential. Theoretical Hypotheses and Empirical Results, (13). Retrieved from https://ojs.scipub.de/index.php/THIR/article/view/8251

Issue

No. 13 (2026): Theoretical Hypotheses and Empirical Results

Section

Agricultural sciences

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.