The joint project of the Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine and BAU International University has been selected as a winner of the 2026 Grant Competition of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia – “Black Sea and Coastal Region Studies – Blue Development of the Black Sea.” The project represents an innovative scientific initiative aimed at the comprehensive monitoring of seawater quality in the Black Sea coastal zone and the assessment of pollution impacts through the application of modern research methodologies. The study is based on the investigation of seawater flow dynamics.

The main objectives of the project are: systematic environmental monitoring of the Black Sea coastal zone; assessment of the impact of oil-related pollutants; integrated analysis of environmental and public health data; and development of an advanced model for predicting pollution risks.

To achieve these objectives, an international scientific consortium has been established, bringing together leading scientific institutions from Georgia, Bulgaria, and Türkiye, with significant research expertise in the field of “Blue Development of the Black Sea.” The consortium will contribute to the implementation of high-level collaborative research on the Black Sea ecosystem, the advancement of modern environmental monitoring methodologies, the exchange of scientific knowledge, and the strengthening of regional cooperation.

The project is led by Maka Mantskava, Head of the Rheology and Diagnostic-Analytical Services Laboratory at the Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, and co-led by Irine Imerlishvili, Rector of BAU International University.