Large Quantity of Biomass Extracted from Mar Menor in the Year 2025 (approximately 4,000 tonnes)
The Mar Menor lagoon is witnessing a significant environmental transformation, as regional authorities and environmental groups work tirelessly to remove over 4,000 tonnes of biomass from its shores. This operation, a continuation of the regional government's commitment to the wellbeing of Mar Menor's environment, aims to protect the environmental quality of the Mar Menor ecosystem and ensure public health above all.
The operation, involving approximately 100 people each day, has been underway since January and was intensified in June and July, with 4,485 workers, in 897 groups, making a concentrated effort to remove the accumulated algae in the most affected zones. The aim is to decrease the accumulation and decay of algae, seaweed, and other forms of biomass on the Mar Menor coastline, thereby preventing harm to local ecosystems, fish, and potentially humans.
The regional government had originally allocated €13.2 million to this effort for the period of 2025-2026, of which €7.1 million have already been spent. European funds have been investing in regional projects connected to the Mar Menor area, such as the FEDER program supporting construction of seafront spaces in La Manga del Mar Menor, indicating an ongoing commitment to the lagoon's restoration and sustainable management.
The removal of this biomass has positive impacts on both ecosystem health and public safety. Improved water quality through lowering organic loading and reducing hypoxia (oxygen depletion) helps create a more hospitable environment for native fish and other aquatic organisms. Scientific studies on fish health in Mar Menor support this assertion, indicating enhanced survival and health conditions for these species.
Moreover, the operation contributes to the restoration of biodiversity and stabilization of ecosystem functions. By preventing the release of nutrients that could cause an ecological imbalance, the operation helps maintain the delicate balance required for the lagoon's ecosystem to thrive.
From a public health perspective, controlling eutrophication and biomass accumulation helps reduce harmful algal blooms and the associated risks such as toxins release, unpleasant odors, and pathogens. These risks can negatively affect human health through water contact or seafood consumption.
In summary, the removal of 4,000+ tonnes of biomass in Mar Menor is a significant environmental remediation effort funded in part by regional and European programs. It positively impacts both ecosystem health and public safety by improving water quality and mitigating ecological degradation common in eutrophic lagoons. However, more detailed financial or project specifics would require further targeted investigation. As of the first seven months of this year, the operation has been carried out by a total of 11,280 people.
The operation, aiming to protect the Mar Menor ecosystem and ensure public health, is also a significant step in the field of environmental science, as it addresses climate change by preventing nutrient release that could cause eutrophication.
The operation's impact on the, already stressed, health-and-wellness, and environmental-science sectors, through improved water quality, biodiversity restoration, and reduced risk of harmful algal blooms, is an inspiring model for future marine conservation efforts.
){kind=link}