In photos: the strange moss that invades Turkey and wreaks ecological havoc

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ISTANBUL (AFP) .- Thick, brown, bubbly foam dubbed “marine mucus” covered the shores of the Sea of ​​Marmara, alarming Istanbul residents and raising new environmental concerns.

Naturally occurring mucilage was first documented in Turkey in 2007, when it was also observed in parts of the Aegean Sea near Greece.

But this outbreak is the largest on record, attributed by experts to a combination of pollution and global warming, which is accelerating the growth of the algae responsible for the slimy sludge.

Associate Professor Muharrem Balci of Istanbul University said that when algae grows uncontrollably in the spring, as it did this year, blocking the sun and causing the oxygen depletion of the fish in the sea.

The mud licking Istanbul’s shores comes from a kind of nutrient overload for the algae, which revel in the hot weather and water pollution that has gradually worsened over the past 40 years, has Balci said.

“This mucilage now covers the surface of the sea like the canvas of a tent”, Balci told AFP news agency.

“After a while, this blanket collapses to the bottom and covers the ecosystem (at the bottom of the sea).” It could poison sea mussels and creatures like crabs.

Diver Mehtap Akbas Ciftci swims along the coast of Caddebostan in Turkey's Sea of ​​Marmara to inspect mucilage, a gelatinous layer of silt that develops on the surface of the water due to the excessive growth of phytoplankton, which seriously threatens the marine biome
Diver Mehtap Akbas Ciftci swims along the coast of Caddebostan in Turkey’s Sea of ​​Marmara to inspect mucilage, a gelatinous layer of silt that develops on the surface of the water due to the excessive growth of phytoplankton, which seriously threatens the marine biomeYasin Akgul – AFP

Cevahir Efe Akcelik, an environmental engineer and general secretary of the Union of Engineering and Architectural Chambers of Turkey, said the foam could cover the sea all summer unless urgent measures are taken.

“Studies show that the mucilage is not only on the surface now, but also reaches a depth of 25 to 30 meters.”

The mucilage has informally been called "sea ​​snot" and was first documented in Turkish waters in 2007. Experts warn that mucilage will be produced more frequently due to global warming
Mucilage has been unofficially referred to as “sea snot” and was first documented in Turkish waters in 2007. Experts warn that mucilage will be produced more frequently due to global warming.Yasin Akgul – AFP

The Sea of ​​Marmara, which stretches along the southern coast of Istanbul from the Bosporus to the Aegean Sea, is densely populated and is home to many industrial sites.

Balci said it also absorbs some of the waste that drains into the Black Sea adjacent to the polluted Danube that runs through Eastern Europe.

The marine mucilage that covers large areas of the Sea of ​​Marmara, which connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, is said to wreak havoc on local communities.
The marine mucilage that covers large areas of the Sea of ​​Marmara, which connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, is said to wreak havoc on local communities.Yasin Akgul – AFP

“This is an additional burden on the Sea of ​​Marmara,” Balci said, calling for a collective action plan for all the coastal towns of the sea.

The workers try to remove the mud with nets, but so far their efforts have proved largely ineffective.

This aerial photograph taken on June 8, 2021 off Caddebostan in Turkey's Sea of ​​Marmara, shows boats surrounded by mucilage, a gelatinous layer of silt that grows on the surface of the water due to excessive overgrowth of phytoplankton.
This aerial photograph taken on June 8, 2021 off Caddebostan in Turkey’s Sea of ​​Marmara, shows boats surrounded by mucilage, a gelatinous layer of silt that grows on the surface of the water due to excessive overgrowth of phytoplankton.Yasin Akgul – AFP

Ali Oztunc, an MP from the main opposition CHP party, urged the government to impose tough penalties on waste disposal facilities that do not follow the rules.

“The Sea of ​​Marmara is an inland sea but, unfortunately, it is turning into an inland desert due to bad environmental policies,” he said.

Ships crossing the Sea of ​​Marmara have to navigate this greenish mud, and some fishermen are unable to work because this slimy substance clogs their engines.
Ships crossing the Sea of ​​Marmara have to navigate this greenish mud, and some fishermen are unable to work because this slimy substance clogs their engines.Yasin Akgul – AFP
A worker operates off the Caddebostan in the Turkish Sea of ​​Marmara to clean up mucilage, a gelatinous layer of mud that develops on the surface of the water due to the excessive proliferation of phytoplankton, seriously threatening the marine biome.
A worker operates off the Caddebostan in the Turkish Sea of ​​Marmara, to clean up mucilage, a gelatinous layer of mud that develops on the surface of the water due to the excessive proliferation of phytoplankton, seriously threatening the marine biome.Yasin Akgul – AFP
A vessel sails through mucilage, a gelatinous layer of silt that grows on the surface of the water due to overgrowth of phytoplankton
A vessel sails through mucilage, a gelatinous layer of silt that grows on the surface of the water due to overgrowth of phytoplanktonYasin Akgul – AFP
Istanbul's coast invaded by mucilage
Istanbul’s coast invaded by mucilageYasin Akgul – AFP
Turkey's marine research agency has warned that these problems will persist unless new investments are made to treat and purify the sewage discharged from the city of Istanbul.
The Turkish marine research agency has warned that these problems will persist unless new investments are made to treat and purify the sewage discharged from the city of Istanbul.Yasin Akgul – AFP

Photos: Yasin Akgul / AFP

Photo montage: Enrique Villegas

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