Mucillagini di mare, boom nel Mar Adriatico: da cosa sono causate? La composizione chimica

Summary

The video script discusses the occurrence of a white viscous and gelatinous substance, mucilage, floating in the Adriatic Sea, which is often mistaken for pollution. It clarifies that mucilage is a natural phenomenon, formed by the mucus of microalgae, posing no health risks. The script delves into the causes, such as warm waters, abundant nutrients, and reduced salinity, and the ecological and economic impacts of this phenomenon, including effects on marine life, fishing, and tourism. It also touches on the indirect human influence through climate change and the natural degradation process of mucilage.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The Adriatic Sea is experiencing an increase in a white, viscous, and gelatinous substance that often turns into foam, commonly known as 'mare sporco' or 'dirty sea'.
• 🧪 This substance is not a result of pollution from soap or detergents, but a natural phenomenon composed of microalgae mucus, referred to as mucillagini.
• 🌡 The rise in water temperature in the Adriatic Sea, reaching up to 29°, is a significant factor contributing to the rapid multiplication of certain microalgae, such as the species Goniaulax fragilis.
• 🌧 Heavy rainfall in June has led to rivers carrying more nutrients into the sea, which in turn are utilized by microalgae for growth and proliferation.
• 🌊 A decrease in sea surface salinity due to freshwater inflow from rivers creates an environment more conducive to microalgae growth.
• 🛰️ Satellite imagery from the European Space Agency has captured the presence of this microalgae bloom, visible from space, highlighting the scale of the phenomenon.
• 📊 Historical records indicate that mucillagini occurrences have been increasing since the 1980s, potentially linked to climate change and rising sea temperatures.
• 💧 Mucillagini are a mixture of proteins and polysaccharides that form a gel, initially appearing as 'sea snow' and eventually aggregating into larger masses on the sea surface and seabed.
• 🐚 The accumulation of mucillagini can suffocate seabed life, such as mussel beds, and cover marine plants like Posidonia oceanica, blocking sunlight and hindering growth.
• 🎣 The presence of mucillagini negatively impacts fishing activities by clogging nets, leading to fish loss, increased costs, and the need for more fuel and time to clean the equipment.
• 🏖️ Mucillagini also affect tourism by making beaches unattractive, with their unpleasant appearance and texture, and by forming foam that can be bothersome to swimmers.
• 💡 Despite the nuisance, there is a positive aspect where high water temperatures and nutrients have led to the proliferation of bioluminescent microalgae, creating a beautiful blue glow at night.

Q & A

在亚得里亚海发现的白色粘性物质是什么？

在亚得里亚海发现的白色粘性物质是由微藻的粘液形成的，这种现象被称为'海上脏污'，是自然现象，不由人为污染引起，也不会对人类健康构成威胁。

这种白色粘性物质的化学成分是什么？

这种物质主要由微藻的粘液组成，也就是所谓的'mucollagen'，它们是一种由蛋白质和多糖组成的混合物，形成一种凝胶状物质。

这种物质是如何形成的？

这种物质的形成与海水温度升高、淡水河流输入增加以及海水盐度降低有关，这些条件有利于微藻的增殖。

这种现象对海洋生态系统有什么影响？

这种物质可以堵塞海底的贝类床，覆盖海底植物，如波喜多尼亚海草，阻挡阳光，影响植物生长，从而对海洋生态系统造成损害。

这种现象对渔业有什么影响？

这种物质会使渔网变重，增加捕鱼成本，减少捕获量，并且需要更多的时间和燃料来清理渔网。

这种现象对旅游业有什么影响？

这种物质会影响海滩的美观，减少游客的访问，对旅游业产生负面影响。

这种物质对人类健康有害吗？

虽然这种物质不会直接对人类健康构成威胁，但建议避免直接接触，以防可能的污染物或刺胞动物的干扰。

这种物质是如何自然降解的？

这种现象是暂时性的，通常期望这些物质会随着时间的推移自然降解。

为什么近年来这种现象有所增加？

气候变化导致的水温升高是近年来这种现象增加的原因之一，因为水温越高，微藻增殖的可能性越大。

目前有什么措施来应对这个问题？

由于这是一种自然现象，主要的应对措施是监测和研究涉及的微藻或微生物，以及等待现象自行消退。