Domestic and industrial pollution of waters in the Bay of Izmir leads to microalgae blooms. When these algae proliferate excessively, oxygen levels in the water drop to critically low levels, resulting in fish kills.
This is the conclusion of Turkish experts regarding the large amount of dead fish and unpleasant odors in the Bayrakli district in the Gulf of Izmir on the Aegean coast. This phenomenon reached the coast of Karshiyaka. Following the discovery of a large amount of dead fish on August 20 in the Turan area of Bayraklı County, Izmir Municipality has started clean-up operations. The local Directorate of Agriculture and the Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change are also carrying out laboratory analyzes of water samples and dead fish. The color of the sea water in the bay has turned green-brown.
Professor Esin Suzer, a lecturer at the Institute of Marine Science and Technology, said he has been researching the Gulf of Izmir since 1999. Although there is a sewage treatment system in the bay, the high population density has led to domestic and industrial pollution.
"This has led to high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients in the bay, which cause microalgae blooms. When these algae proliferate excessively, oxygen levels in the water drop to critically low levels, leading to fish kills. The low oxygen saturation , due to high temperatures and slow currents, especially in the inner part of the bay, exacerbates this problem. These deaths are a consequence of pollution, lack of oxygen and clogging of the gills," stressed the Turkish scientist.
Professor Ergun Tashken, Head of the Department of Hydrobiology, believes that "the main reason for the death of fish is the lack of oxygen due to pollution, as the hot weather also plays a role." I BGNES
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