Sea Snot Outbreak In Turkey
Source : Indian Express
GS III : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Why in News ?

There has been growing environmental concern in Turkey over the accumulation of sea snot a slimy layer of grey or green sludge in the country’s seas.

• Sea Snot Outbreak In Turkey can cause considerable damage to the marine ecosystem.

Key Facts

• Turkey’s Sea of Marmara that connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea has the largest outbreak of sea snot.
• The sludge has also been spotted in the adjoining Black and Aegean seas.
• As the slimy layer spreads across the country’s seas, there are urgent calls now to tackle the crisis.
• A  sea snot outbreak was first recorded in the country in 2007.
• Back then it was also spotted in the Aegean Sea near Greece.
• The current outbreak in the Sea of Marmara is by far the biggest in the country’s history and also spread to 80-100 feet below the surface. 
  • It may collapse to the bottom and cover the sea floor, causing major damage to the marine ecosystem.

What is sea snot ?

• Sea snot is marine mucilage.
  • It 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.
• How it Looks like ?
  • The thick slimy layer of organic matter which looks like a viscous brown and foamy substance has spread through the sea
• What is the root cause of Sea Not ?
  • Overproduction of phytoplankton caused by climate change is one reason.
  • The uncontrolled dumping of household.
  • As a result of industrial waste into the seas also boost the formations of Sea Not.
• What is the major cause of Sea Not in the region ?
  • The outbreak on discharge of untreated water from cities like Istanbul which is populated around 16 million people dumped into the seas.

What is the impact of Sea Not in the Ecosystem of Marine region ?

• It posing a severe threat to the marine ecosystem of the country.
• The major impact noted are 
  • Mass deaths among the fish population
  • Aquatic organisms such as corals and sponges
  • Over a period it end up poisoning all aquatic life
  • Can cause an outbreak of water-borne diseases such as cholera

What can be done to tackle this situation ?

• The entire Sea of Marmara will be turned into a protected area.
• Reduce pollution and improve treatment of waste water from coastal cities and ships.
• Reduce nitrogen levels in the sea by 40% which would help tackle the crisis.

Daily Current Affairs : Click Here