The Environmental and Socio-Economical Effects of a Biologic Problem: Mucilage

Abstract

This study was conducted at two stations, Guzelyali and Abide, selected in the shoreline of Dardanelles Strait. Monthly observations were performed between October 2008 and August 2009 to investigate the effects and causes of mucilage, which is an important ecological problem. In order to determine the causes of mucilage, atmospheric data were collected. The results suggested that sudden temperature variations, wind speed and rainfall may have direct effects on the continuance of mucilage. Except summer, mucilage has been observed all through the year. Biologic and socio-economic effects of mucilage were also investigated in this study. Mucilage has a negative effect, especially on flora and fauna in the marine ecosystem. Additionally, there are many socio-economic problems on fisheries, tourism activities and human health. Therefore, although it is not possible to control the mucilage occurrence, the effects of this problem on marine environment, biodiversity and economy can be mitigated by using some protection aspects such as the control of anthropogenic effects causing eutrophication, fishing period and etc.

Keywords

• Dardanelles Strait, Guzelyali, Abide, Mucilage

References

1. Artüz, M.L. 2008. Marmara Denizi Genelinde Gözlemlenen Karışık Alg Patlaması Konusunda Rapor. Sevinç-Erdal İnönü Vakfı, 31 Mart 2008 (Rapor).
2. Degobbis, D., Fonda-Umani, S., Franco, P., Malej, A., Precali, R., and N. Smodlaka. 1995. Changes in the Northern Adriatic Ecosystem and the Hypertrophic Appearance of Gelatinous Aggregates. Science of the Total Environment, 165: 43-58.
3. Innamorati, M. 1995. Hyperproduction of Mucilages by Micro and Macro Algae in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Science of the Total Environment, 165: 65-81.
4. Marchetti, R. 1990. Algal Blooms and Gel Production in the Adriatic Sea. In Eutrophication-Related Phenomena in the Adriatic Sea and in Other Mediterranean Coastal Zones, eds. H. Barth and L. Fega. Water Pollution Report 16, Commission of the Euro-pean Communities, 21-42.
5. Mecozzi, M., Acquistucci, R., Di Noto, V., Pietrantonio, E., Amici, M., and D. Cardarilli. 2001. Characterization of Mucilage Aggregates in Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Sea: Structure Similarities Between Mucilage Samples and the Insoluble Fractions of Marine Humic Substance. Chemosphere, 44: 709-720.
6. Rinaldi A., Vollenweider R.A., Montanari G., Ferrari C.R. ve Ghetti A., 1995. Mucilages in Italian Seas: The Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas, 1988-1991, Science of the Total Environment, 165: 165-183.
7. Stachowitsch, M., Fanuko, N., and M. Richter. 1990. Mucus Aggregates in the Adriatic Sea: An Overview of Stages and Occurrences. Marine Ecology, 11: 327-335.
8. Vollenweider, R.A., and A. Rinaldi. 1995. Editorial. Science of the Total Environment, 165: 5-7.