GS PAPER II: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Context: Turkey’s Sea of Marmara, that connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, has witnessed the largest outbreak of ‘sea snot’. The sludge has also been spotted in the adjoining Black and Aegean seas.

What is causing ‘sea snot’ in the seas of Turkey?

• ‘Sea snot’ is marine mucilage that is formed when algae are overloaded with nutrients as a result of water pollution combined with the effects of climate change.
• The nutrient overload occurs when algae feast on warm weather caused by global warming. Water pollution adds to the problem.
• Overproduction of phytoplankton caused by climate change and the uncontrolled dumping of household and industrial waste into the seas has led to the present crisis.
• The thick slimy layer of organic matter, which looks like a viscous, brown and foamy substance, has spread through the sea south of Istanbul and also blanketed harbours and shorelines.

How badly can the crisis affect the marine ecosystem?

• The growth of the mucilage, which floats up on the surface of the sea like a brown phlegm, is posing a severe threat to the marine ecosystem of the country.
• It has caused mass deaths among the fish population, and also killed other aquatic organisms such as corals and sponges.
• The mucilage is now covering the surface of the sea and has also spread to 80-100 feet below the surface.
• If unchecked, this can collapse to the bottom and cover the sea floor, causing major damage to the marine ecosystem.
• It could end up poisoning all aquatic life, including fishes, crabs, oysters, mussels and sea stars.
• Besides aquatic life, the ‘sea snot’ outbreak has also affected the livelihoods of fishermen. The sludge is getting collected in their nets, making them so heavy that they break or get lost. Their catch has considerably reduced and has compounded the economic crisis for fishermen.
• ‘Sea snot’ can cause an outbreak of water-borne diseases such as cholera in cities like Istanbul.
• Brown mucilage floating in the seas of Turkey is a sign of twin crisis of pollution and global warming.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-the-sea-snot-outbreak-in-turkey-7347989/

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