Sea snot

Sea snot or marine mucilage is a collection of mucus-like organic matter found in the sea. Sea snot forms when globs of marine snow coagulate into large globs that can span distances as large as 124 miles.^[1] A recent increase in the amount of sea snot in the Mediterranean and other seas may be the result of climate change. Warmer, slower moving waters increase the production of sea snot and allow it to accumulate in massive blobs.^[2]

Sea snot was first reported in 1729 and has long been seen as a nuisance to the fishing industry and costal populations.^[2] However, sea snot has emerged as serious hazard. Globs of sea snot can harbor bacteria such as E. coli that threaten maritime flora and fauna as well as humans exposed to contaminated water.^[3] It is formed from the aggregation of "marine snow". The mucilage has many components, including a wide range of microorganisms including viruses and prokaryotes, and exopolymeric compounds with colloidal properties.^[4]

The BP oil spill created large amounts of sea snot. Scientists are not sure how exactly the spill caused the so much sea snot to form, but one theory asserts that the sea snot could have been the result of a massive kill of microscopic marine life creating a "blizzard" of marine snow. Moreover, scientists worry that the mass of sea snot could pose a biohazard to surviving marine life in the area.^[5]

See also

• Mucilage

References

1. ^ Christine Dell'Amore (October 8, 2009). "Giant, Mucus-Like Sea Blobs on the Rise, Pose Danger". National Geographic. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091008-giant-sea-mucus-blobs.html. Retrieved 2010-09-24. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Dell'Amore. "Giant, Mucus-Like Sea Blobs on the Rise, Pose Danger."
3. ^ Christine Dell'Amore (October 8, 2009). "Giant, Mucus-Like Sea Blobs on the Rise, Pose Danger". National Geographic. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091008-giant-sea-mucus-blobs.html. Retrieved 2009-10-13. 
4. ^ Roberto Danovaro, Serena Fonda Umani, Antonio Pusceddu (September 16, 2009). "Climate Change and the Potential Spreading of Marine Mucilage and Microbial Pathogens in the Mediterranean Sea". PLoS One. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0007006. Retrieved 2009-10-13. 
5. ^ Christine Dell'Amore (September 23, 2010). "Sea Snot" Explosion Caused by Gulf Oil Spill?". National Geographic. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100916-sea-snot-gulf-bp-oil-spill-marine-snow-science-environment/. Retrieved 2010-09-24.