Mucilage (mucus-like blob) forms naturally in the summer as a result of bonding between organic marine matters. It is usually found along the Mediterranean coast and was regarded as a natural phenomenon since the 1880s. However, recent study has found that these enormous sheets of mucus-like material are appearing more frequently and in larger quantities, as a result of rising sea temperatures. This situation will bring about negative consequences to mankind and marine life if not tackled properly.
From the start, the presence of these “mucus-blobs” was regarded by fishermen and swimmers as a nuisance because it was too thick to swim through and difficult to remove once attached to clothes. It can even be seen from the surface of the seas itself, giving it a dirty look. Would you even want to swim in the sea, knowing that such grotesque, stringy masses containing microscopic dead and living matter are nearby?
From a biologist’s perspective, the marine mucilages pose a threat to marine diversity. Fishes have no choice but to swim through it and risk getting trapped by these blobs. The mucus obstructs their gills too, potentially suffocating them. Furthermore, muscilages attract bacteria and viruses, especially E-coli, a type of bacteria known to cause illnesses (E.g. diarrhea, pneumonia), that is harmful to both man and fishes. Moreover, the mucilages, which are approximately 200km long, can sink to the seabed once it is too dense to float, smothering the marine life underneath. Paramuricea clavata is among the types of underwater plants that have been affected as a result of the mucilage outbreak.
According to one of the chief researchers, Roberto Danovaro, the number of mucilage outbreaks has increased almost exponentially over the last 2 decades in the Mediterranean Sea. The researchers also found that warmer seawaters facilitate the bonding between dead organic marine organisms which make up the mucus. It is unknown why these dead matters are unable to decompose. With the current climate, the mucilages have now extended their spread to the Adriatic Sea and is even occurring during winter. Imagine what would happen should the blobs managed to conquer the oceans all year round?
Resources:
1. http://sciencestage.com/resources/climate-change-and-potential-spreading-marine-mucilage-and-microbial-pathogens-mediterranean-sea
2. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091008-giant-sea-mucus-blobs.html
3. http://www.takepart.com/blog/2009/10/16/warmer-sea-temps-create-mucus-blobs-in-oceans/
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