Plankton surge in Izmir triggers fish deaths and foul odor
Dead fishes can be seen in the Izmir Bay. (Photo via TRT)
The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has attributed the recent fish deaths and foul odor in Izmir Bay to an increase in sea temperatures, leading to a surge in single-celled organisms known as plankton.
The municipality’s Environmental Protection Department reported that the rising sea temperatures, reaching 29 degrees Celsius, have been fueled by global warming and climate change, creating an ideal environment for the proliferation of “Dinoflagellate Gymnodinium” plankton species.
Plankton bloom causes oxygen depletion
According to the official statement, the excessive growth of these plankton has significantly reduced the oxygen levels in the water, which in turn led to the death of plankton themselves, causing the unpleasant smell that has been reported by local residents.
The plankton bloom has also given the water a reddish-brown hue, further indicating the severity of the situation.
Impact on marine life
The statement emphasized that the depletion of dissolved oxygen in the water has been particularly acute in the Bayrakli coastline, an area of the bay with low water circulation. This oxygen reduction is believed to have directly caused the recent fish deaths observed along the coast.
The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Environmental Protection and Control Department is actively working to address the issue, with the Marine Protection Branch conducting both marine and land-based clean-up operations.
Ongoing efforts to mitigate environmental impact
The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality reassured the public that necessary measures are being taken to manage the situation.
The municipality’s Marine Protection Branch is utilizing sea sweepers and conducting shoreline clean-ups to mitigate the effects of the plankton bloom and its consequences.
