Vol.27 – 2021 – No.2 – Journal of the Black Sea / Mediterranean Environment

First record of Leucothea multicornis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Ctenophora: Lobota: Leucotheidae) in the Lebanese coastal waters, eastern Mediterranean Sea – CORRIGENDUM

**First record of Leucothea multicornis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Ctenophora: Lobota: Leucotheidae) in the Lebanese coastal waters, eastern Mediterranean Sea – CORRIGENDUM**

Ghazi Bitar, Ali Badreddine

Published by J. Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment: Vol. 27, No. 1: 117-120 (2021)

Abstract

After the publication of our work, it has been realized that we have erroneously identified the species mentioned in our paper. The investigation of the specimen photos defined critical and distinguished morphological characters, generally not present in Leucothea multicornis (mentioned in our article), represented by the position of the oral lobe begins nearest the aboral extremity of the specimen, and forming long grooves along the animal body (pers. comm. O.M.P. Oliveira). Furthermore, the presence of papillae on the body of the specimen mentioned in the description of the species corresponds to the typical warts of the adult specimen of Mnemiopsis leidyi found in marine waters (out of estuaries), as papillae distinguishing L. multicornis are bigger and more conspicuous (pers. comm. O.M.P. Oliveira). As a result, the species mentioned in our paper was identified as an invader comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi (A. Agassiz, 1865), which is already present in the Lebanese waters. We apologize for the error and for any inconvenience this may have caused.

The impact of the massive mucilage outbreak in the Sea of Marmara on gorgonians of Prince Islands: A qualitative assessment

Nur Eda Topçu, Bayram Öztürk

ORCID IDs: N.E.T. 0000-0003-2734-2695; B.Ö. 0000-0001-7844-2448

Marine Biology Department, Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, Istanbul University, Istanbul, TURKEY
Turkish Marine Research Foundation, (TUDAV), Beykoz, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

In autumn 2020, a large mucilaginous outbreak was recorded in the entire Sea of Marmara and lasted until summer 2021. Mucilaginous aggregates in the water column and the impacts on gorgonians were qualitatively monitored at Prince Islands. Suspending and drifting mucilaginous aggregates in several forms and sizes were present from April to July 2021. All four main gorgonian species present in the area were observed to be covered with mucilage; some colonies were still healthy, some showed total mortality, while others had partial mortality. The population of the red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata was already severely declined in the area and might be expected to be the worst impacted. Gorgonian populations in the area could potentially recover but the recurring nature of mucilage outbreaks might prevent a recovery by rejuvenation as mucilage deposition mainly impact young colonies. Considering with accelerating climate-driven changes, mucilage outbreaks would probably recur in this semi-enclosed sea with clearly altered environmental conditions. The ecological status is clearly alarming and effective measures need to be taken urgently to prevent the formation of another large-scale and long-lasting mucilage event. The implementation of the recent Action Plan for the conservation of the Sea of Marmara could highly improve the conditions if genuinely applied throughout the basin.

Keywords: Mucilaginous, sea fan, sea snot, benthos, coralligenous

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The current impact of mucilage on tourism and underwater cultural heritage in the Marmara region

Can Kalkavan

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3865-1899

Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

An analysis of the impact of the recent massive mucilage event in the Marmara Sea is necessary in order to manage the crisis and introduce mitigation measures for the sustainability of tourism in the area. Legislation and preventive measures can help to prevent large-scale disasters and destruction, particularly in the marine industry. Yet, despite early signs and warnings, no measures of any impact have been taken to limit the outbreak of mucilage. Consequently, the Marmara region, well known for its unique inland sea, history and culture, is now in great jeopardy. Mucilage is a threat to the tourism sector, an important contributor to the regional and national economy, and its underwater cultural heritage. This study aims to show the short-term and long-term effect of mucilage on the tourism sector and on under water cultural heritage. The data was collected through interviews with local business owners, an examination of beach’s health throughout years in the Marmara Sea and the impact of tourism on the Turkish GDP. Lastly, previous cases of mucilage were taken as an example for a more accurate prediction.

Keywords: Mucilage, Marmara Sea, tourism, underwater cultural heritage

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The early stage of mucilage formation in the Marmara Sea during spring 2021

Halim Aytekin Ergul, Neslihan Balkis-Ozdelice, Merve Koral, Serdar Aksan, Turgay Durmus, Mert Kaya, Melih Kayal, Fatih Ekmekci, Oltan Canli

ORCID IDs: H.A.E. 0000-0002-9313-1426; N.B.O. 0000-0001-8030-7480; M.K. 0000-0003-3869-4522; S.A. 0000-0002-8842-9332; T.D. 0000-0002-8242-1823; M.K. 0000-0001-8429-842X; M.K. 0000-0003-0656-7684; F.E. 0000-0003-2305-9163; O.C. 0000-0002-2652-844X

Department of Biology, Science and Arts Faculty, KocaeliUniversity, 41001, İzmit, Kocaeli, TURKEY
Department of Biology, Division of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Science, İstanbul University, 34134 İstanbul, TURKEY
Investigating, Planning and Allocations Department, General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, 06100 Ankara, TURKEY
TUBITAK Marmara Research Centre, Environment and Cleaner Production Institute, 41470 Kocaeli, TURKEY

Abstract

In the present study, phytoplankton composition in relation to mucilage and accompanied physicochemical conditions were investigated in the sea water samples collected from four stations in İzmit-Kocaeli, Fatih-İstanbul, Biga-Çanakkale (in the Marmara Sea), and Riva-İstanbul (in the Black Sea). Samplings were carried out before (i.e., during September 2020) and at the beginning stage of the mucilage formations (i.e., during April 2021) which was observed in the Marmara Sea during spring and summer months of 2021. Seawater temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen levels were measured in situ. Inorganic nitrogen, orthophosphate, and chlorophyll-a concentrations were analyzed spectrophotometrically. In total 83 phytoplankton species (44 Bacillariophyceae-BAC, 36 Dinophyceae-DIN, 2 Dictyochophyceae-DIC, and 1 Chlorophyceae-CHL) were identified during the study. BAC species were generally dominant. Among the 83 phytoplankton taxa identified, Cerataulina pelagica, Cylindrotheca closterium, Pseudo-nitzschia sp., Skeletonema costatum, Thalassiosira rotula, Alexandrium tamarense, Dinophysis acuminata, Dinophysis caudata, Dinophysis fortii, Gonyaulax fragilis, Gonyaulax spinifera, Gymnodinium sp., Gyrodinium sp., and Prorocentrum micans are known as the species associated with mucilage formation. The highest number of species was determined at the Biga-Çanakkale station (MDG25) with 38 taxa in September 2020. Skeletonema costatum (11200 cells/L) was the most abundant species at 10 m depth in the İzmit-Kocaeli station (MDG22) in April 2021. The mucilage formations in MDG22, and MDG25 stations were observed at their beginning stage as a tule curtain form in April 2021 while the seawater temperature and salinity levels were below 15°C and around 30‰, respectively. While the taxa dominance of the BAC in the total phytoplankton remained similar from September to April (i.e., 56%), its number of species decreased dramatically from 59 to 28 in the Marmara Sea. Despite the decreasing biodiversity, there was an increase in total abundance in the sampling stations, particularly in MDG22 and MDG25. In both stations, total abundance increased from 12000 to 42000, and 2000 to 50000 cells/L, respectively, compared to September 2020 and April 2021. Despite the decrease in biodiversity, and increase in the number of cells suggests that eutrophication and, as a result, mucilage formation occurred in the Marmara Sea. TRIX values showed that while the eutrophic conditions increased, the ecological quality in the region generally decreased from September 2020 to April 2021, and it was described as Bad for all stations in the Marmara Sea. The data indicated that the limiting factor for phytoplankton was nitrogen during April 2021 simultaneously with the mucilage formation in the Marmara Sea.

Keywords: Mucilage, sea snot, phytoplankton, Marmara Sea, nutrient, Cylindrotheca closterium, Skeletonema costatum

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Effects of mucilage on the benthic crustacean in the North Aegean Sea

Herdem Aslan, Zeynep Tekeli, Özge Bacak

ORCID IDs: H.A. 0000-0002-0872-2919; Z.T. 0000-0002-3539-6805; Ö.B. 0000-0002-7453-2291

Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, TURKEY

Abstract

The mucilage (sea-snot) event during autumn 2020 in the Marmara Sea turned into a major disaster, carried by winds and currents passing the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles), Turkey, and extending to the North Aegean Sea, threatening tourism and fisheries. This study aims to compare the peracarid crustacean diversity in Gökçeada Island, the North Aegean Sea, in 2010/2012, before the mucilage disaster, and in 2021 after the disaster. Samples were collected using a 20 × 20 cm quadrat as three replicates from hard substrate at 0.5 m and at 5 m depth during the summer season at five stations. All samples were sorted through 0.5 mm sieves. Water quality were assesed in 2012 and 2021 for physico-chemical properties. As a result, the number of species and specimens, richness and diversity values of all stations (except Yıldız Koy) decreased dramatically in 2021. The species composition of Yıldız Koy station, located in the northern shore of the island, with no intense mucilage presence, was evaluated as a reliable indicator of organic matter increase. The study revealed that mucilage adversely affected the peracarid assemblages, important for the marine ecosystem in the southern shore of Gökçeada.

Keywords: Mucilage, sea-snot, North Aegean Sea, infralittoral zone, zoobenthos, Crustacea, biomonitoring

References

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Preliminary study on cryptobenthic fish assemblages affected by the mucilage event in the northeastern Aegean Sea

Cem Dalyan, Nur Bikem Kesici, Ferhat Yalgın

ORCID IDs: C.D. 0000-0002-7386-5641; N.B.K. 0000-0002-9636-1649; F.Y. 0000-0002-0027-5114

Division of Hydrobiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Istanbul, TURKEY
Underwater Technologies, Bandirma Onyedi Eylül University, Bandırma, Balıkesir, TURKEY

Abstract

Cryptobenthic fishes form a major component of coastal fish communities. Due to their site fidelity, life strategies and habitat preferences, they can be considered as indicator organisms which some changes in the coastal ecosystem can be detected. In this study, the effects of the mucilage event were studied through cryptobenthic fish assemblages in the North Aegean Sea between May and August of 2021. During 12 dives, a total of 166 individuals of 19 cryptobenthic fish species were observed belonging to the families Gobiidae (7 species), Blennidae (7), Gobiesocidae (2) and Tripterygiidae (3). Density of the cryptobenthic fish were estimated as 11.4 (ind. per hour) in May and June (while intense mucilage formation was observed in the area) and 17.8 (ind. per hour) in July and August. The overall result revealed that the effects of mucilage are destructive for the marine cryptobenthic fishes.

Keywords: Gobiidae, Blenniidae, North Aegean Sea, Gökçeada Island, Saros Bay

References

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Vertical distribution of mucilage typology in the water column after a massive mucilage formation in the surface waters of the Sea of Marmara

İ. Destan Öztürk, Sabri Mutlu, Gökhan Kaman, Fatma Bayram Partal, Ayşen Demirtaş, Senem Çağlar, Ersan Kuzyaka, Hüsne Altıok, Dilek Ediger

ORCID IDs: İ.D.Ö. 0000-0001-8915-6236; S.M. 0000-0001-9222-3102; G.K. 0000-0003-3385-0418; F.B.P. 0000-0002-5661-1439;
A.D. 0000-0001-6801-8483; S.Ç. 0000-0001-5882-9020; E.K. 0000-0002-3356-5679; H.A. 0000-0003-0362-4938; D.E. 0000-0003-4417-8815

Department of Physical Oceanography and Marine Biology, Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Istanbul University, Istanbul, TURKEY
Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), P.O.Box 10, Beykoz, Istanbul, TURKEY
TUBITAK MRC Environment and Cleaner Production Institute, Kocaeli, 41470, TURKEY
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Vezneciler, Istanbul, 34134 TURKEY

Abstract

The vertical distribution of mucilage aggregates is described for the Sea of Marmara in July 2021. In order to understand the vertical distribution of mucilage aggregates, CTD measurements and underwater video records were obtained from 10 stations in the Sea of Marmara. Nine different types of mucilage aggregates were observed during this study. Flocs were observed in the entire surface waters of the Sea of Marmara. The biggest type of mucilage aggregates in terms of size was clouds. Vertical distribution of mucilage in the water column had a distinct distribution for different types and this distribution was same for all regions. Even though it was not possible to monitor the deep basin, this study confirms that mucilage aggregates passed the halocline and were recorded up to 60 m depth in the water column.

Keywords: Mucilage typology, mucilage aggregates, Sea of Marmara, underwater video

References

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Sea snot and its impacts on the fisheries in the Sea of Marmara and its adjacent waters

Taner Yıldız, Onur Gönülal

ORCID IDs: T.Y. 0000-0003-3140-5118; O.G. 0000-0002-5559-3953

Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, Istanbul University, Balabanağa Mah, Ordu St. No 8, 34134 Fatih, Istanbul, TURKEY
Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), P.O.Box 10, Beykoz, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

This study aims to reveal how the fishing sector was affected by the sea snot seen in the Sea of Marmara in 2021. For this purpose, an online survey was conducted in the Sea of Marmara and the surrounding provinces. In total 211 commercial or recreational fishers participated in the questionnaire and answered the questions between 30 May and 22 June 2021. All components of the fishing industry were affected by the sea snot at varying levels and suffered monetary loss. However, it is important for fishers to keep their catch records by official means on a regular basis, so that they can fully recover their loss. In the coming years, it is necessary to include the fishing sector in the monitoring of sea snot.

Keywords: Sea snot, fisheries, Sea of Marmara, mucilage

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A preliminary assessment of the mass mortality of some benthic species due to the mucilage phenomenon of 2021 in the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles) and North Aegean Sea

H. Barış Özalp

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2640-8912

Vocational School of Ocean Engineering, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, TURKEY
Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, TURKEY

Abstract

Mucilage events may severely affect the benthic fauna and flora in marine environment, likely causing serious mortality in marine life. The present study was made on a massive mucilage phenomenon in the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles) and North Aegean Sea in 2021. Blanket type of mucilage existed for five months between March and July in the Çanakkale Strait, impacting marine benthos, which lead to a likely ecological destruction at some locations. Saros Bay, Gökçeada, Bozcaada and Tavşan Islands (Mavriya) were also impacted by this massive mucilage phenomenon. The highest mean thickness of blanket type of mucilage was observed as 16.26±5.97 cm, while the lowest value was measured as 3.5±0.86 cm. Regarding mucilage aggregates-based mortality in marine invertebrates, 77 individuals of the Pennatulacean coral Pteroeides spinosum were found dead. Data of thickness on substratum of mucilage aggreates is reported for the first time in the inventory of the Turkish marine researches.

Keywords: Mucilage, invertebrates, mass mortality, Çanakkale Strait, North Aegean Sea

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Investigation of the effects of mucilage on maritime operation

Esma Uflaz, Emre Akyüz , Fırat Bolat, Pelin Bolat, Özcan Arslan

ORCID IDs: E.U. 0000-0003-2229-8242; E.A. 0000-0002-0071-9619; F.B. 0000-0001-9807-7089; P.B. 0000-0003-4262-3612; Ö.A. 0000-0003-4769-6941

Department of Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maritime Faculty, Tuzla 34940, Istanbul, TURKEY
Department of Marine Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maritime Faculty, Tuzla 34940, Istanbul, TURKEY
Department of Basic Science, Istanbul Technical University, Maritime Faculty, Tuzla 34940, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

Mucilage is one of the harmful substances for marine environment since it prevents oxygen transfer by covering the area from the sea surface and causes significant threats for marine organisms such as fish, fish larvae and eggs. In recent months, the Turkish Straits, including the Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits and the Marmara Sea, have been exposed to serious mucilage events. This paper aims to investigate mucilage effects on maritime shipboard operations by using the bow-tie method, which is one of the practical risk analysis approaches. The method is capable of understanding potential root causes and consequences of mucilage since it provides a systematic approach. Besides its theoretical concept, the paper contributes to marine environment researches and safety inspectors to minimize mucilage effects by investigating potential root causes and consequences.

Keywords: Mucilage, maritime pollution, maritime environment, bow-tie method

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