The Turkish authorities are going to pump oxygen into five different points in the Marmara Sea to fight the growing problem of ‘sea snot’.

Marine mucilage, also known as sea snot, is threatening marine life in the Marmara Sea and the Turkish government is seeking new ways to protect it.

The authorities announced that they will pump oxygen at five different points in the sea at a depth of 30 metres (98 ft).

The measure will take place in four places along the Gulf of Kocaeli and off the coast of Pendik District in the north-western Turkish city of Istanbul.

The marine mucilage, an overgrowth of microscopic algae known as phytoplankton, reduces oxygen levels in the water for marine animals and plants, affecting the ecological balance.

As a result, the government launched a cleanup campaign to fight the problem on 8th June.

Cleaning crews have been collecting mucilage in the Turkish provinces of Istanbul, Kocaeli, Balikesir, Bursa, Yalova, Tekirdag, and Canakkale.

The authorities are planning to use devices for oxygenation that have already been used in other countries, and if successful, they will be used in the wider Marmara region.

Environment and Urbanisation Minister Murat Kurum said oxygenation was one of the most important measures for protecting the marine life in the Marmara Sea, adding that it has already been successful at boosting oxygen levels in lakes in Turkey.

Last week, scientists cleaned ‘sea snot’ off the coast of Istanbul by using marine bacteria to combat the mucilage.

Crews collected over 4,550 cubic metres of sea snot in nearly 12 days and the authorities suspended the activities of 14 industrial plants reportedly polluting the sea during the same period.

Pollution is considered one of the main causes of mucilage, which, in turn, is worsened by climate change and differences in sea temperatures.