ACROSS Journal of Interdisciplinary Cross-border Studies

BALANCING THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN THE LACU SĂRAT AREA, BRĂILA

Camelia Mariana BĂLĂNICĂ DRAGOMIR — 2025-12-10

As a fundamental component in the worldwide evolution of eco-friendly tourism, nature conservation
areas play an extremely essential role in community and provincial development. They are essential
for fostering flexibility in responding to predicaments. In our country, ecotourism is included in
development targets and is an important concern, as increasing tourism business in protected areas
might damage them. The data used in this study comes from the General Directorate of Tourism
within the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism and analyses the types of
accommodation units in the Lacu Sărat Braila area, but also in the immediate vicinity. The data used
in this study comes from the General Directorate of Tourism within the Ministry of Economy,
Entrepreneurship and Tourism, updated at 30.06.2025 and analyses the types of accommodation units
in the Lacu Sărat Braila area, but also in the immediate vicinity.

OXIDATIVE STRESS IN FISH AS A METHOD FOR DETECTION OF ECOSYSTEM DISTURBANCES

Aurelia NICA — 2025-12-10

Oxidative stress is an early indicator of deterioration in the health of aquatic organisms when
exposed to harmful environmental factors. In fish, oxidative stress results from a delicate balance
between the production of reactive oxygen species and the capacity of antioxidant defence systems.
Developing a scientific review of the biochemical mechanisms involved in oxidative stress in fish
is essential for consolidating and integrating current knowledge in the field of aquatic physiology.
Although the number of studies on oxidative stress has increased significantly in recent decades, the
information remains scattered across various species, experimental conditions, and ecological
contexts. A thorough review enables the organisation of this data, facilitating the identification of
general trends, knowledge gaps, and future research directions. Fish are a particularly valuable
biological model for studying oxidative stress due to their direct exposure to contaminants and
environmental variations. Understanding the biochemical reactions associated with reactive oxygen
species (ROS) production, antioxidant defence mechanisms, and oxidative stress markers is
fundamental for assessing the health of aquatic organisms and interpreting pollution impacts on
ecosystems [1]. Conducting a thematic review not only ensures a comprehensive synthesis of
existing data but also provides a critical analysis of the methodologies employed, the relevance of
proposed biomarkers, and their integration into modern ecotoxicological monitoring programmes.
Consequently, this work holds dual value: scientific, by consolidating the theoretical basis of
oxidative stress in fish, and practical, by supporting efforts to conserve biodiversity and manage
aquatic resources sustainably.

The IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Aurelia NICA — 2025-12-10

Climate change profoundly impacts aquatic ecosystems, both marine and freshwater, disrupting their
ecological balance and functions. The rise in global temperature influences species distribution, alters
the metabolism of aquatic organisms, and lowers dissolved oxygen levels, thereby promoting the
development of hypoxic zones. A significant consequence is ocean acidification, driven by the
excessive absorption of atmospheric CO₂. This process harms calcifying organisms such as corals and
molluscs, weakening their structures and disrupting marine food chains. Coral reefs, vital ecosystems
for biodiversity, are rapidly declining, impacting the human communities that rely on them.
Accelerated glacier melting is changing salinity and ocean circulation patterns, affecting nutrient
cycles and coastal marine habitats. Simultaneously, alterations in precipitation patterns and the
increasing frequency of droughts affect freshwater systems, leading to reduced flow, eutrophication,
and pollution, thereby negatively affecting biodiversity and water quality. Beyond ecological effects,
climate change carries significant socio-economic repercussions, influencing fisheries, tourism, water
supply, and food security. It is crucial to implement integrated adaptation and conservation strategies,
grounded in scientific research, to protect these vulnerable ecosystems and the essential services they
provide. Aquatic ecosystems provide vital services, including food, drinking water, climate regulation,
and protection against natural disasters.

THE NUTRITIONAL SPECTRUM OF SOME GOBIID SPECIES FROM THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA COAST

Adina POPESCU — 2025-12-10

The main aim of this study is to analyse the trophic spectrum of four goby species (Apollonia
melanostomus, Neogobius cephalarges, Mesogobius batrachocephalus, and Gobius niger) from
the Romanian coast of the Black Sea, examining their dietary diversity, sex ratios, distribution
by area, and seasonal variation. Before analysing gastrointestinal contents and identifying
ingested organisms, the gobies were measured to determine their length classes and weighed to
establish their weight categories. The food components identified from the stomach contents
mainly consist of molluscs, which have significant trophic importance. The gobies' diet is
dominated by Dreissena polymorpha (27%), followed by Mytilaster lineatus (12%) and Mytilus
galloprovincialis (11%). The digestive tract filling index across different seasons and sexes was
also reported. For females of Apollonia melanostomus, the index was 48%, while for males it
was 52%. Females of N. cephalarges had a filling index of 56%, compared to 44% in males.
Females of Mesogobius batrachocephalus showed an index of 44%, with males at 56%. Females
of Gobius niger had an index of 33%, whereas males reached 67%. Overall, the average digestive
tract filling index is substantially higher in males (103.97) than in females (80.64).

STUDY ON THE DYNAMICS AND TRENDS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIA IN RECENT YEARS

Andreea Raluca CHIRIAC — 2025-12-10

Organic agriculture plays a vital role in sustainable farming, economic development, and increasing
interest in rural areas. Making the sustainability of the entire system the main aim of organic farming
brings notable benefits, such as reducing reliance on high pesticide use, decreasing greenhouse gas
emissions, and lessening negative impacts from excessive nitrogen fertilisation. Romania and other
EU member states have embraced organic farming, focusing on harmonised legislation, expanding
cultivated areas, and increasing the number of registered operators. The study highlights the
importance of organic farming in addressing current agricultural challenges and underscores growing
concerns about sustainability and environmental protection.