Post-mucilage microbial contamination in the Sea of Marmara: A comparative assessment near and distant from marine outfalls
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE, cilt.100, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 100
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.rsma.2026.105188
- Dergi Adı: REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Zoological Record
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Fecal indicator bacteria, Microbial water quality, Sea of Marmara, Vibrio spp., Wastewater effluents
- İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The Sea of Marmara, T & uuml;rkiye's only inland sea, continues to be under significant anthropogenic pressure despite its designation as a Special Environmental Protection Area in November 2021. The massive mucilage event that occurred in 2021 further intensified concerns regarding microbial contamination and associated public health risks. This study evaluates post-mucilage microbial contamination in the SoM by analyzing fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and selected pathogens (Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp.), with a focus on sites near marine outfalls receiving effluents from wastewater treatment plants operating with varying levels of treatment (from preliminary to advanced biological treatment). Comprehensive microbial water quality monitoring across multiple sampling points and depths revealed that FIB concentrations were higher near marine outfalls compared with more distant sites. While Salmonella spp. were not detected in any sample, several Vibrio species, including V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. fluvialis, and V. alginolyticus, were identified throughout the water column. These findings highlight the importance of basin-wide microbial monitoring not only at the surface but also throughout the water column to better understand the fate and transport of fecal contamination, particularly in regions influenced by wastewater effluents and in shellfish harvesting areas. Furthermore, upgrading wastewater treatment technologies, especially at facilities currently limited to preliminary physical treatment, is suggested to be beneficial. Such improvements are essential to protect both the ecological integrity of the SoM and public health.