Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : Between 1994 and 1998, the European Union EROS project has focused its research on the biogeochemistry and ecological quality of the Danube–north-western Black Sea continuum. This area was chosen as a pilot site to understand the complex interactions between human activities and the quality of the coastal environment. Project methodology included analysis of historical data, field expeditions, process-level studies and mathematical modelling. Main results achieved are shortly described highlighting the rapid response of the coastal Black Sea ecosystem to positive and negative effects of human changes.