Changes in abundance and community structure of the zooplankton population during the 2008 mucilage event in the northeastern Marmara Sea

Abstract

IntroductionMucilage events are characterized by the appearance of gelatinous aggregates suspended in the water column. Massive aggregation is produced by various marine organisms under special seasonal and trophic conditions and meteorological conditions (Innamorati et al., 2001;Mecozzi et al., 2001). Mucilage can heavily affect marine ecosystems by covering large areas; in addition, fisheries and tourism industries can be seriously damaged (Innamorati et al., 2001). The appearance of mucilage formation in the Adriatic Sea has been reported since the 1800s, with major mucus aggregates forming during the 1990s (Totti et al., 2005). Mucilage events have been reported over a wide geographic range, including New Zealand, the Aegean Sea, and the East China Sea (

New records of jellyfish species in the Marmara Sea

“…The Marmara Sea has deteriorated significantly over recent decades, particularly in coastal areas, due to the impact of rapid economic development, increased population and the associated consequences of habitat loss, eutrophication, pollution and overfishing (Zengin & Mutlu 2000;Morkoç et al 2001;Isinibilir et al 2010;Isinibilir Okyar et al 2015). In recent years, the warning signs of ecological deterioration, such as algal blooms, mucilage events and jellyfish blooms have increased significantly in Marmara Sea (Isinibilir 2012;Turkoglu 2013;Isinibilir Okyar et al 2015;Yılmaz 2014). In addition, the number of jellyfish species recorded from the Marmara Sea increased in the last decades and the number of new records is still increasing.…”

Marine Mucilage in the Sea of Marmara and Its Effects on the Marine Ecosystem: Mass Deaths

“…Although different aspects of mucilage events in the Sea of Marmara have been investigated before (Aktan et al, 2008;Tüfekçi et al, 2010;Balkis et al, 2011;İşinibilir-Okyar et al, 2015;Keleş et al, 2020;Kalkavan, 2021;Uflaz et al, 2021;Yıldız and Gönülal, 2021), the mass deaths are presented for the first time in the current study. In addition to serious fish deaths in the coastal zone, we highlight a much more intense accumulation of mucilage on the benthos.…”

New Additions to the Jellyfish Fauna of the Sea of Marmara

“…Warning signs of ecological deterioration such as algae blooms, marine mucilage events, and jellyfish blooms have increased significantly in the Sea of Marmara in recent years. (Isinibilir, 2012;İşinibilir-Okyar, Üstün, & Orun, 2015;Turkoglu, 2013;Yılmaz, 2014). In addition, the number of jellyfish species recorded from the Sea of Marmara increased in the last decades and is still increasing (İnanmaz et al, 2002;Isinibilir et al, 2010;Isinibilir et al, 2020;Yilmaz et al, 2017).…”