In the summer of 2021, do you remember the whitish, sticky layer that covered the Marmara Sea? The name of this unnatural condition, whose effect is as chilling as its appearance, is mucilage, popularly known as sea slobber. What happened that year was actually a summary of environmental problems that had been accumulating for years. But it’s not just a matter of visual pollution; the effects of mucilage on underwater life are devastating.
What is mucilage and why is it formed?
Mucilage is a gel-like structure resulting from the overgrowth of microalgae (especially phytoplankton). Phytoplankton are an important part of the marine ecosystem in natural conditions. However:
- Waste water released uncontrolled into the sea
- Sea water temperature rise due to climate change
- Stagnation in the sea (lack of current)
these organisms multiply in an unusual way and mucilage is formed. This is like an “alarm system” of nature. Because the sea has become unable to clean itself.
Why Are Phytoplankton Proliferating So Much?
Phytoplankton are one of the basic building blocks of the marine ecosystem. However, in closed and heavily polluted areas such as the Marmara Sea, these microscopic creatures can multiply unusually. One of the main reasons for this is the uncontrolled discharge of domestic and industrial wastes into the sea. Especially wastewater rich in nitrogen and phosphorus provides a food source for phytoplankton. As the weather warms up, these creatures multiply rapidly and trigger the intense biomass production that forms the basis of mucilage. In short, every intervention in the balance of nature activates an invisible chain.
Chain Effect in the Underwater Ecosystem
Mucilage covering the water surface is not just an aesthetic problem. It prevents sunlight from reaching the seabed, threatening the life of photosynthesizing organisms such as seagrasses and corals. This reduces oxygen production and limits the habitat of fish. As divers have observed, life has almost completely stopped in some areas. In other words, an excess of phytoplankton leads first to a decrease in oxygen, then to the migration of fish, and finally to the disruption of the entire marine balance. This chain effect is felt not only on the surface of the sea, but also in its deepest layers.
What Should We Do to Look to the Future with Hope?
The problem of mucilage is not a hopeless fate, but rather an environmental crisis that can be reversed with the measures that can be taken. The first step is to stop pollution reaching the sea. Effective operation of treatment plants, reducing the organic load and raising environmental awareness are vital. In addition, individual awareness should not be underestimated. Even simple steps such as reducing plastic consumption, being conscious about the use of detergents and preferring environmentally friendly products can have a significant impact in this fight. And perhaps most importantly: Seeing this problem as the responsibility of every individual, not just scientists. Because this sea is our common heritage.
Effects of mucilage on underwater organisms
Mucilage, forming a layer on the water surface:
- It prevents sunlight from reaching the lower layers of the sea.
- Reduces the amount of oxygen in the water.
- It makes it difficult for sea creatures to breathe and move.
- It can stick to fixed organisms such as corals, sponges and seagrasses, leading to their death.
Moreover, this dense layer prevents fish eggs from attaching and threatens the entire food web by disrupting the plankton chain.
What are the Effects on Human Health?
Although mucilage does not release a direct toxin, it can cause symptoms such as bad odor, skin irritation, respiratory sensitivity, especially in summer due to the bacteria and undissolved organic substances it carries. Experts recommend that especially immunocompromised individuals should not swim in these environments.
What Experts Say About Mucilage
Expert opinions underline that mucilage cannot be eliminated only by cleaning, the important thing is to prevent its formation. For the Marmara Sea, the wastewater treatment infrastructure needs to be strengthened, agricultural and industrial wastes should be prevented from being discharged directly into the sea and scientific monitoring studies should be made permanent. Underwater creatures can only breathe again if we change.
What Can Individuals Do to Fight Mucilage?
Tackling mucilage is not just the task of the state or municipalities. Each individual’s small contribution can make a big difference to protect marine life:
- Not pouring household waste into the sink or the sea
- Reducing chemical cleaning products
- Reducing unnecessary water use
- Prefer sustainable products
- Reducing the use of plastic
- Raising our children with environmental awareness
Emaar Aquarium's Awareness Role
As Emaar Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, we not only introduce marine creatures to visitors, but also explain how important it is to protect the ecosystems where they live.
Time to Act Instead of Despairing
Mucilage is nature’s way of telling us that enough is enough. But the same nature also has the power to recover itself with the right steps. With science, education and social consciousness, we can bring the Marmara Sea and the silent creatures beneath it back to life.
Let’s not just watch; let’s be the change-makers. Because if the sea lives, so do we.
Frequently asked questions and associated answers
Mucilage is a gel-like, sticky substance produced by the overgrowth of microscopic organisms called phytoplankton in the seas. Especially factors such as temperature increase, stagnation in the seas and domestic/industrial wastes trigger the formation of mucilage. Its appearance can be slippery and foamy, and it can accumulate on the surface or under water.
Mucilage is actually not a new phenomenon. According to scientific records, it was first seriously discussed in Turkey in 2007. However, the widespread mucilage crisis in the Marmara Sea in 2021 made this problem more widely recognized.
Yes, contact, especially in areas where it is concentrated, can cause skin irritation, respiratory sensitization and allergic reactions. In addition, swimming and contact with water is not recommended as harmful bacteria and toxin-producing organisms can multiply in environments where mucilage accumulates.
Description. When mucilage covers the sea surface, it blocks sunlight and reduces the oxygen level underwater. This leads to the death or migration of many marine species, especially fish. Corals, seaweeds and crustaceans are also negatively affected.
The most effective solution is to control the waste reaching the sea. This is possible by improving treatment systems, reducing nitrogen and phosphorus-containing chemicals, raising environmental awareness and tightening inspections. It is also important for individuals to reduce their household waste and question their chemical consumption.
No, mucilage is also occasionally observed in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Sea. However, the Sea of Marmara has been the most affected region due to its semi-enclosed nature and the dense settlement and industry around it.
If the right measures are not taken, mucilage can turn into a permanent threat, not a periodic one. Years of environmental neglect are at the root of today’s problems. In other words, mucilage may be temporary, but if its causes are permanent, it is inevitable that it will reappear.
Yes. Swimming in areas with high mucilage is not recommended for both hygiene and health reasons. The water becomes cloudy, there can be a bad odor and direct contact with the skin can have unhealthy consequences.
Yes. The economic impacts are also serious. It negatively affects fishing activities, tourism, maritime transportation and beach cleaning costs. In addition, the disruption of marine life can lead to ecosystem crises in the long term.
Mucilage can form through a natural process, but the main reason for its current scale is man. The increase in waste entering the sea, the effects of the climate crisis and the overloading of the seas have accelerated the spread of mucilage.
