Izmit Gulf turns brown: Prof. Dr. Aytekin assesses mucilage risk

The sea color in Izmit Gulf suddenly turned brown. The change observed along the coastline revived memories of the previous mucilage crisis, causing concern among the public.

According to Cumhuriyet Newspaper's report, Prof. Dr. Halim Aytekin, who assessed the issue, provided a clear explanation regarding the cause of the color change. The expert pointed out that the image could be due to phytoplankton concentration or accumulation of various organic matter.

Marmara Sea remained in the spotlight for an extended period due to the major mucilage disaster that occurred in 2021; fishing and the marine ecosystem suffered serious damage. The new appearance in the gulf concerned both local fishermen and environmental volunteers. Aytekin's explanations indicated that the situation is under monitoring; however, no official mucilage confirmation has been made yet.