Black sea Ecosystem faces Rapid Decline, Raising Environmental Concerns
ISTANBUL – A dramatic shift is occurring in the black Sea ecosystem, transforming a historically healthy marine environment into one facing meaningful risk, according to recent findings and expert analysis. Once known for its rich biodiversity,the Black Sea is now grappling with declining oxygen levels,increased jellyfish blooms,and a shrinking fish population,prompting urgent calls for international cooperation to address the crisis.
Professor Dr. Kervan, speaking on broader Turkish healthcare independence, highlighted TÜSEB’s efforts toward domestic production of medical devices, including a heart-lung machine developed with ASELSAN, expected to begin clinical trials and potential hospital use after mid-2026. He also noted progress in producing large stents for coronary and aortic vessels, aiming for international competitiveness.
Though, the Black Sea’s deterioration presents a separate, critical environmental challenge. Scientists attribute the changes to a complex interplay of factors, including agricultural runoff carrying excessive nutrients, warmer water temperatures linked to climate change, and increased shipping activity. These factors contribute to eutrophication – an over-enrichment of water with nutrients – leading to algal blooms that deplete oxygen as they decompose.
“Many people do not even know that there is hypertension,” stated Prof. dr. Kervan, referencing chronic disease research by TÜSEB’s Institute of Chronic Diseases, including studies on early-onset hypertension and the development of age-specific blood pressure targets. this underscores the broader need for preventative healthcare measures, mirroring the proactive approach needed to address the Black Sea’s ecological decline.
The consequences of the Black Sea’s changing conditions are far-reaching. Declining oxygen levels create “dead zones” where marine life cannot survive. Jellyfish, thriving in these conditions, are outcompeting fish populations, disrupting the food chain and impacting local fisheries. The long-term effects on the black Sea’s unique ecosystem, and the economies that depend on it, remain uncertain, but experts warn that without immediate action, the situation will continue to worsen.