02.02.2025 10:40
Mucilage (sea snot), which began to re-emerge after 2020 in the Dardanelles Strait, has been observed again in the Dardanelles Strait and its shores.
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The nightmare of mucilage, which started to surround the Dardanelles Strait, was captured by a drone. Prof. Dr. Yeşim Büyükateş, Head of the Department of Basic Sciences at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology and Dean of the Çanakkale Applied Sciences Faculty, stated that if the current weather conditions continue, a situation similar to the mucilage event experienced in 2020 could arise again. Büyükateş pointed out that mucilage would affect a large part of the Marmara region and the Dardanelles Strait, and that it would have serious negative impacts on the ecosystem, fishing, and tourism activities. He mentioned that problems such as fishing nets being covered with mucilage, filters in aquaculture systems getting clogged, and mussels being covered could occur in the fishing sector. In the tourism sector, he emphasized that people would not want to swim in the jelly-like sticky formations in the sea, and that the unpleasant appearance and smell caused by bacterial decomposition could negatively affect tourism activities. Marine pollution, which scientists have been warning about for a long time, and the resulting mucilage have caused serious ecological damage, especially in the Sea of Marmara. The discharge of treated wastewater into the sea and the pollution caused by vessels providing marine transportation have gradually turned into a disease threatening the marine ecosystem. In 2020, mucilage became visible by rising from the seabed to the water's surface.
MUCILAGE CAPTURED BY DRONE
Prof. Dr. Yeşim Büyükateş, Head of the Department of Basic Sciences at ÇOMÜ Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology and Dean of the Çanakkale Applied Sciences Faculty, stated that if the current weather conditions continue, a situation similar to the mucilage event experienced in 2020 could arise again. Büyükateş drew attention to the serious negative effects that mucilage would have on the ecosystem, fishing, and tourism activities. He expressed that problems such as fishing nets being covered with mucilage, filters in aquaculture systems getting clogged, and mussels being covered could occur in the fishing sector. In the tourism sector, he emphasized that people would not want to swim in the jelly-like sticky formations in the sea, and that the unpleasant appearance and smell caused by bacterial decomposition could negatively affect tourism activities. The Marine Ecosystem is in danger. Büyükateş stated that the biggest problem is occurring in the marine ecosystem, noting that it creates a false bottom structure in the marine system, which negatively affects fish feeding, reproduction, and migration. It can cover the seabed, seagrasses, corals, bivalves, fish nests, and eggs. Therefore, there can be difficulties in oxygen exchange. Due to the high load of suspended solids, it affects light permeability in the marine system, negatively impacting the photosynthesis mechanism. For these reasons, problems arise in the marine food web, and negative effects on biodiversity can be observed.
UNCONTROLLED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES TRIGGER MUCILAGE
Büyükateş pointed out that uncontrolled agriculture also plays a role in the formation of mucilage, stating that the intensive use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, as well as the indiscriminate application of pesticides and herbicides, harms the marine ecosystem. He mentioned that with rainfall, these chemicals are carried to the seas, resulting in an increase in nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the marine ecosystem, leading to uncontrolled proliferation of planktonic organisms and eutrophication. "Awareness must be raised for a permanent solution." Emphasizing the importance of raising awareness for finding permanent solutions to the mucilage problem, Büyükateş stated that action plans need to be developed on a regional basis. The measures to be implemented in areas with intensive industrial activity and those with intensive agricultural production should differ. Especially to prevent agricultural pollution, transitioning to sustainable and smart precision agriculture practices is crucial. In addition, wastewater treatment plants need to be operated effectively, and industrial facilities must properly dispose of their waste. Individually, measures such as reducing the use of phosphorus-based synthetic detergents, minimizing waste, and adopting recycling can be taken," he said. "Important precautions must be taken in fishing." Prof. Dr. Yeşim Büyükateş stated that mucilage could affect a large part of the Marmara Region and the Dardanelles Strait, predicting that the problem would continue unless there is a sudden change in meteorological conditions. He noted that it could affect fishing to some extent until the fishing ban that will start in April, but recovery would be possible afterward, and necessary precautions must be taken for sustainable fishing, with ongoing studies conducted with expert scientists in the field.
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