Due to the ability of our nature to heal itself, it can respond concretely to injustices done to it in the long term.
The photo you see above is more than just a visible reaction from nature to the global warming disaster, which we often forget or never remember, but plays a significant role in increasing its impact every day, and the amount of household waste generated by our desire to consume excessively alongside our growing population; it is nature's cry for help.If it were only this much, it would be good! Because we discharge our domestic and industrial wastewater into the Sea of Marmara through deep-sea discharge without advanced treatment, the pollution load we create darkens the color of our water, and since 2000, we have caused its temperature to rise more than other seas, forcing all nature to say hello to mucilage because of us humans.Due to nature's ability to heal itself, it can respond concretely to the injustices done to it in the long term. That is why we humans do not think about the pollution load of a cigarette butt thrown into the vast sea. Or what could happen to the environment because of a tree we cut down, after all, we have so many trees that each one cannot be cut down individually (!). However, we have lowered the quality of life on our planet so much and exhausted our nature to the extent that we have started looking for life on other planets. When we realized that the water we consume so recklessly would one day run out, we came face to face with photos of Mars. Have you ever thought about it from this perspective?**Why Marmara?**So why did mucilage invade the Marmara? Since we have been globally warming our world at an increasing rate for 300 years since the Industrial Revolution, and as a result, causing climate change, there have been recorded deviations of 2-2.5 degrees in sea water temperatures, which are continuously increasing, and forecasts indicate that these rises will continue in the same manner. The Sea of Marmara is a sea trapped between the warm sea waters rising from below and the nutrient-rich waters of the Black Sea, and in fact, the first 25 meters of the Sea of Marmara originates from the Black Sea. This hybrid sea, consisting of two layers, in Marmara has two layers that...There is a transition layer that prevents the passage of water. For this reason, the vertical mixing in the seawater has been hindered, and the Sea of Marmara has taken on a stagnant state. At the same time, while the salinity in the Marmara under normal conditions is 19 parts per thousand, analysis of samples taken from the island coasts has shown that the salinity is 24 parts per thousand. The mucilage, which we refer to as "sea slime," has formed more this year than in previous years because it thrives in heat and stagnation, and unfortunately, the part we see on the surface is just the visible tip of the iceberg.Due to the direct discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and chemicals into the seas as a result of our agricultural activities, it is very normal to experience eutrophication (excessive algal growth). Although not as intense as this year, we observed significant mucilage in 2007-2008, which is a sticky secretion resulting from the excessive proliferation of tiny organisms known as microalgae that initiate the biological process in the sea through photosynthesis. Being organic in nature, this secretion is a paradise for viruses and bacteria, extending meters underwater. What we see on the surface is their dead state.**Underwater Tragedy**Three percent of the rural population in our country relies on fishing for their livelihood. Due to the sea slimes that envelop the depths and surface with their corpses, fishing has reached the brink of paralysis. Aside from the blockage of fishing nets by mucilage, the end of the road is also visible in mussel farming. Mucilage kills the mussels that clean the water by swimming, thereby exacerbating their harmful ecological effects. While some experts believe that eating mussels may be harmful to health at this time, others think that there will be no issues due to the organic nature of mucilage. Although it remains ambiguous from a health perspective, from an economic standpoint, the fact that mucilage clogs the engines of water-cooled boats, causing malfunctions, is another tragedy that incurs high costs.Is It Marine Discharge?
Although it may not have caught our attention, this tragedy that started affecting us, primarily the marine life and then fishermen, since January is a significant result of the merging of our water ecosystems with untreated waters. The black color of the Nilüfer Stream flowing from the slopes of Uludağ or the bleeding wound of Thrace, the Ergene River, and one of its largest tributaries, Çorlu Stream, being discharged with only preliminary treatment without advanced treatment of domestic and industrial wastewater were strong reasons for the proliferation of mucilage. Despite the fact that one of the biggest problems of our age is the difficulty of accessing clean water, we struggle to protect our natural resources even though we have advanced technology. In the Marmara region, which has an increasing population and especially an industrial development in coastal areas, if we continue our unconscious deep sea discharges into the Sea of Marmara, it will be quite challenging to protect ourselves from such incidents. We think the sea swallows this, but Marmara is now tired of swallowing dirty water, and one must be blind not to see the reaction it shows. What is important here is not just to look at our environment; it is to be able to see while looking.
The Sea of Marmara is heavily affected by domestic and industrial wastewater due to the 25 million people it hosts around it. Such effects are sufficient to reduce biodiversity in the sea. Some species that cause the formation of mucilage can contain toxins, posing risks for some living beings that breathe through gills. However, when these creatures sense this danger, they usually flee from the area, leading to a decrease in both the living beings and biodiversity.
How Much Do We Consume?
Simply throwing our waste into the correct bins means standing still instead of taking a step further. Continuously consuming excessive water, such as the 25-30 liters of water that flows uselessly while brushing our teeth, 11,000 liters spent on a pair of jeans, or 16,600 liters for a pair of shoes, is virtual water.we cannot give up our consumption habits despite the warnings. The total water resources used in the production of a good are referred to as the water footprint, which is an indicator of water consumption. Our water footprint increases due to uncontrolled agricultural irrigation, consumption frenzy, and our water consumption habits. The simplest thing that needs to be done is to carry out awareness-raising activities at the national level. By popularizing wastewater recovery facilities and systems like rainwater treatment systems in our country, we can succeed in protecting ourselves from disasters like mucilage.Under the roof of the wrong consciousness we possess, without learning from our mistakes and turning a blind eye to what needs to be done, if one day we find life on other planets; it will be the second life we have lost.**How Will We Fight?**We cannot reduce the increased temperatures, nor can we bring the changed climate back to its former state. No matter how much effort we put into living our summers in summer months and our winters in winter months, according to experts, we will not be able to correct the order we have disrupted until the 22nd century. But at least we can prefer to throw our household waste into household waste bins instead of the seas, and to treat our wastewater and use it for different purposes instead of discharging it randomly. Because the reuse of treated wastewater is not only a hope for future generations but also a great way to accompany the next century with a sustainable environment rather than sustainable disasters.The biggest problem that sea slime creates for marine life is its consumption of oxygen in the water and its prevention of oxygen acquisition from the atmosphere. In this context, it can be planned for all municipalities and non-governmental organizations around the Marmara region to come together and create an emergency action plan. The dedicated efforts of everyone from individuals to institutions in this regard mean that we take ownership of our nature and reduce the likelihood of this tragedy happening again.**How Much Are We Consuming?**Simply throwing our trash into the right waste bins is not enough.To stagnate means to remain in place instead of taking a step forward. Continuously consuming excessive water, such as the 25-30 liters of water that flows uselessly in front of us while brushing our teeth, the 11,000 liters spent on a pair of jeans, or the 16,600 liters used for a pair of shoes, we cannot give up our consumption habits despite these virtual waters.The total water resources used in the production of a good are referred to as the water footprint, which is an indicator of this water consumption. Our water footprint increases due to uncontrolled agricultural irrigation, consumption frenzy, and our water consumption habits, and the simplest thing that needs to be done is to raise awareness among the public. By popularizing systems such as Wastewater Recovery Facilities and Rainwater Treatment Systems in our country, we can succeed in protecting ourselves from disasters like mucilage.Under the framework of our false consciousness, without learning from our mistakes and turning a blind eye to what needs to be done, if one day we find life on other planets; this will be our second lost life.
