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United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Turkiye's “Defender of Life in Water” World Free Diving Record Holder Sahika Ercumen dives into the depths of Marmara Sea with a single breath for mucilage (sea saliva), which has become more visible in recent years, in Balikesir, Turkiye on May 24, 2025. Mucilage in the Marmara Sea is driven by a combination of rising sea surface temperatures, the discharge of untreated waste into the water, and the sea's unique semi-enclosed structure that limits water circulation. Following the major outbreak in 2021, monitoring and cleanup efforts have continued, with experts reporting partial improvements despite periodic increases in mucilage levels. (Photo by Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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