Abstract. The aim of this paper is to identify the general trend of changes and the basic requirements of the most important lagoon system of the Black Sea, on the basis of critical analysis of existing data. A more coherent set of data sampled after 1988 on the basis of some intensive and extensive study and research programmes, including the main trophic parameters and the most representative structural and functional features of this complex of ecotonal lakes, is comparatively analysed together with more fragmentary data previously existing. The structural and functional changes within this complex of lakes were analysed based on 31 most representative variables belonging to the main abiotic and biological compartments of the two main lakes, Razim and Sinoe: dissolved organic carbon, dissolved oxygen, trophic state index TSI, nutrient content and ratio, salinity, chlorophyll, phytoplankton, zooplankton, submerged macrophytes, zoobenthos, fish and birds. Two stages were distinguished in the main structural changes, including morphometric connections with the Danube River and the Black Sea and hydrochemistry and its effects on communities. These transitions were associated with two main driving forces, water desalinisation and rapid eutrophication, and with other two kinds of man-induced changes, local hydrotechnical buildings and long-distance variables operating over the entire Danube River watershed. The information support system for sustainable management of the Razim-Sinoe Lagoon Complex as a part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, integrating existing data from research programmes and an integrated monitoring system for new data is a final conclusion on further needs.

The change of concentration of total reactive phosphorus (TRP) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was studied in the lower Danube river and in selected lakes situated in the wetland area of the Danube Delta. The differences Danube Delta in nutrient concentration in the river waters entering the delta and the delta in different sites (especially lakes) of the wetland area are considered to reflect retention in the system. The highest retention was found in periods of moderate and low water level when the surfaceto-volume ratio of the lakes was high. In these periods the in-lake concentration ofTRP and DIN could be as low as 11 and 23 % of the values found in the inflowing river.

Light conditions were studied in six lakes of the Danube Delta for a period of 2 years and were described as a function of 12 independent variables forming a data matrix with more than 1000 sample units. Light extinction was explained in percentage of 64% by phytoplankton, of 11% by detritus, of 70% by zooplankton, of 1.4% by dissolved organic matter and of 0.15 by bacterioplankton. The influence of mineral particles was insignificant. Equations are produced here for the relationship to water turbulence, wind intensity and lake depth. The threshold for full water turbulence was between 7 and 8% for a fluctuation domain of critical winds of 3.2-5.4 m s -' and for a depth domain of 1-3 m.

The change of concentration of total reactive phosphorus (TRP) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was studied in the lower Danube river and in selected lakes situated in the wetland area of the Danube Delta. The differences Danube Delta in nutrient concentration in the river waters entering the delta and the delta in different sites (especially lakes) of the wetland area are considered to reflect retention in the system. The highest retention was found in periods of moderate and low water level when the surfaceto-volume ratio of the lakes was high. In these periods the in-lake concentration of TRP and DIN could be as low as 11 and 23% of the values found in the inflowing river.

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