Research Information System
4th National / 2nd International Conference on MARINE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. Khorramshahr – IRAN, Khorramshahr, Iran, 30 - 31 January 2024
Aquatic systems play a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth, providing habitat for a diverse range of species and supporting various ecosystems. The significance of studying the effects of climate shift and pollution on these aquatic environments cannot be overstated. As our planet undergoes climate shift and global warming, the delicate balance within aquatic ecosystems is disrupted, leading to a cascade of consequences. The importance of biodiversity and ecological balance in these systems becomes particularly apparent, as changes in temperature, sea level rise, and ocean acidification have specific and often detrimental effects on aquatic life. For instance, rising temperatures can alter the distribution of species, and ocean acidification poses a threat to marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells. Moreover, the interactions between climate shift and pollution exacerbate the challenges faced by aquatic systems, creating a complex web of environmental stressors. This intricate interplay is starkly evident in events like mucilage outbreaks, where climate-induced changes in temperature and nutrient cycles, coupled with pollution from anthropogenic sources, contribute to the excessive growth of organic matter. Since the first quarter of the 18th century in the Adriatic and, more recently, in various regions of the Mediterranean, the Northern Aegean Sea, the coasts of California, New Zealand, and especially in Türkiye, particularly in the Marmara Sea and the Strait of Canakkale since the mid-1990s, "mucilage" phenomenon or "sea snot" has emerged. This occurrence results from the proliferation of certain organisms naturally present in marine systems under favorable environmental conditions.
In Türkiye, mucilage was first observed in the Marmara Sea and the Strait of Canakkale in 1994, becoming particularly intense in the 2007-2008 period. The mucilage outbreak in the November-June period of 2020 served as a compelling case study, manifesting itself as a significant ecological, economic, and social issue. This event illustrated the complex interplay of climate shift and pollution in aquatic ecosystems, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding and targeted solutions to address the interconnected challenges faced by marine environments. The mucilage outbreak underscored the urgency of implementing strategies that consider the broader environmental context to safeguard the health and resilience of aquatic systems.
Keywords: Water pollution, climate shift, musilage, Strait of Canakkale