Union of Turkish Engineers and Architects, Bursa Provincial Coordination Board, in the Marmara Sea; A press release was made on mucilages, (sea saliva), which rapidly multiply due to the degradation reactions of various algae, due to the sea water temperature, the stagnant sea and the excess nutrients formed by our waste. The statement was made by the Bursa Branch President of UCTEA Chamber of Environmental Engineers, Sevim Yürüten.
The statement made by TMMOB Chamber of Environmental Engineers Bursa Branch is as follows:
“In the Sea of Marmara; Due to the sea water temperature, the stagnant sea and the excess nutrients formed by our wastes, mucilages (sea saliva) that multiply rapidly due to the degradation reactions of various algae have recently become noticeable with their bad appearance and odor by covering the sea surface.
This situation, in our opinion, is a painful scream that describes the pollution in the Marmara Sea and is a clear indicator of the degradation in the Marmara Sea ecosystem.
As it is known, the frequent occurrence of mucilage spreads that contain microbial biodiversity and pathogenic (pathogenic) species are closely related to temperature anomalies. When looking at the relationship between climate change and the frequency of mucilage, a rapid increase in the number of mucilage occurrences containing phytoplankton and bacteria has been detected in the last 20 years.
In the Marmara Region, where approximately 25 million people live, the pollution caused by domestic and industrial waste water and other land-based pollutants resulting from intensive industrialization and settlement, and the warming of the air in the spring, causes the microorganisms in the Marmara Sea to multiply in a way that disrupts the entire ecosystem. This situation in the Marmara Sea causes significant economic losses due to its effects on fishing and tourism.
Air pollutants originating from industry, warming and sea-land vehicles also play an important role in the pollution of the Marmara Sea. Due to rapid population growth, urbanization and the development of industry, the amount of waste generated is increasing day by day. Pollutants reach the sea by different means, their absorption capacity is exceeded and today we are faced with serious coastal and water pollution due to the insufficiency of the measures taken.
Concrete steps should be taken within the scope of the National Action Plan prepared in 2018 to protect our seas against these land-based pollutants.
Preventing the environmental pollution we create with our industrial and domestic wastes is a much more economical and environmentally friendly approach than cleaning the pollution.
The seas belong to all of us. It is our legal and conscientious responsibility to protect our seas. The damages we suffer and will incur as a result of our non-enforced laws, regulations and plans affect all our citizens.
The urgent measures we need to take for the Marmara Sea can be listed as follows.
Industrial and domestic wastewater treatment facilities should be expanded and inspections for existing facilities should be increased.
Deep sea discharge should not be allowed in the Marmara Sea without wastewater treatment based on nutrient removal.
Temperature and pollution parameters of all discharges should be monitored simultaneously and online.
The reuse of treated water should be mandatory and encouraged by subsidies.
Due to the heavy pollution load for the Marmara Sea, specially defined discharge parameters must be established outside the standards in the Water Pollution Control Regulation.
Discharge standards in all rivers and streams discharging into the Marmara Sea should be regulated and the pollution load should be reduced.
Measures should be taken for all land-based pollution that puts pressure on the Marmara Sea and pollution should be reduced.
Ballast management and control should be provided, taking into account invasive species carried by ship's ballast waters.
Regulation on waste collection from ships and control of waste must be strictly enforced.
The pollutant load caused by the uncontrolled use of pesticides used in agriculture should be reduced.
Coastal destruction should be prevented.
Activities such as taking sand from the sea, dredging and unconscious hunting should be carefully supervised.
The discharge criteria included in the regulations within the scope of the relevant Environmental Legislation should be reviewed, and the necessary legal regulations should be made considering the cumulative effect.
The Marmara Sea Action Plan should be prepared with a holistic approach with all stakeholders and should be implemented rapidly by local administrations and the Ministry.
Climate Change Action Plans should be implemented quickly.
In the 1 / 100.000 Scale Environmental Plan and its provisions, which are currently on the agenda of Bursa, the principle of the protection of the Marmara Sea should be taken as a basis.
From here, we, as trade associations, announce our call to the relevant institutions, local administrations and the public for the implementation of the above-mentioned measures in order to eliminate the pollution in the Marmara Sea without wasting time. "
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