Page 118 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 3

CAUSES OF MUCILAGE FORMATION AND SOLUTION
SUGGESTIONS IN THE LIGHT OF MUCILAGE
COMPOSITION FINDINGS IN THE SEA OF MARMARA

Zeki Ünal YÜMÜN - Erol KAM- Melike ÖNCE

ABSTRACT
The increase in nutrients in the seas, sudden changes in water temperature
and low water current cause a significant proliferation of algae and other
phytoplankton. These microorganisms form a transparent, sticky jelly-like
substance known as sea snot. The mucilage layer, which covers the water
surface and causes photosynthesis to stop partially or completely in the aquatic
environment, reduces the dissolved oxygen ratio in the water. Mass deaths
occur in creatures living in marine environments with low oxygen levels. With
the addition of the remains of dead creatures to the sea snot, the mucilage turns
into a substance that emits a bad odor in the environment. This situation is also
seen in the Marmara Sea from time to time and creates a serious environmental
problem. In order to investigate the causes of this problem, samples were taken
from the waters discharged into the sea, sea snot and sea water and necessary
analyses were made. The pH value of mucilage is between 6.65-7.12, and the
pH value of sea water is between 7.88-8.25. According to the analysis results, it
was determined that the mucilage sample was acidic and the seawater sample
was basic. By adding nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers to the sea water, the
acidity of the water and the mucilage was monitored. In this experiment, it was
observed that the pH value of mucilage decreased to 6.15-6.55 and the pH
value of sea water decreased to 7.15-7.25, making the environment acidic and
increasing the electrical conductivity.
In order not to increase pollution in seas or lakes, untreated water should
not be discharged into these environments and the flow of sea water should
be increased if possible. The Sea of Marmara had the ability to clean itself up

Year 2 / Issue 3 / January 2023 103