Sketchlagoon
Saltwater lagoons are important coastal homes for all kinds of sea life. They protect the shore, provide a safe place for fish, and are a resting spot for many birds, making them essential for biodiversity. These special places are key for nature's balance, but they can easily be harmed by pollution, climate change, or human activity. That's why we need to take care of them to keep our planet healthy.
The Mar Menor Lagoon
The Mar Menor lagoon in Spain is the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe, famous for its clear waters and the many animal species that live there. It's also an important place for fishing and tourism. But the fragile balance of the Mar Menor faces major challenges, such as climate change and pollution caused by agriculture and cities. SMARTLAGOON is a project that uses advanced technologies to help scientists understand the environmental problems the lagoon is facing. The project also aims to raise awareness among people so that they take action to protect this delicate ecosystem.
The Mar Menor through the eyes of children
We asked children from the Mar Menor area to create drawings of the lagoon. Here is what they came up with.
Click on a drawing to find out more.
Fish
In October 2019, after heavy floods in September, pollution flowed into the Mar Menor. Sadly, this caused thousands of fish to die and wash up on the beaches because there wasn't enough oxygen in the water.
Crab
Crabs are everywhere in the Mar Menor, but blue crabs shouldn't be! Just like in other parts of the Mediterranean, they are pushing out the local crab species and, even eating them at times.
Clam
Clams are crucial for the Mar Menor's ecosystem because they filter the water and keep it clean. Unfortunately, the lagoon's poor water quality has greatly affected clam populations. Protecting clams and restoring their homes is essential for keeping the Mar Menor healthy and balanced.
Jellyfish
Jellyfish, once considered outsiders in the 90s, have now become very common in the Mar Menor. This is mainly because of climate change, overfishing, and pollution. Jellyfish love warm waters, and since many of their predators have been overfished, they have fewer natural enemies. Plus, the unusual growth of algae gives them plenty of food to eat.
Seahorse
The seahorse is a special symbol of the Mar Menor, almost like the lagoon's mascot! Years ago, seahorses were all round in the Mar Menor, and everyone who came was astonished by the view of them. Sadly, their numbers have dropped so much that many kids living nearby have never even seen a seahorse in their lives.
Algae
Algae in the Mar Menor lagoon are important because they provide homes and food for many marine animals. However, intensive farming nearby has introduced chemicals into the lagoon, leading to algal blooms. This means too much algae and bacteria grow, which takes away the oxygen from the water and causes fish to suffocate. This phenomenon is called eutrophication. In August 2021, this problem got so bad that around four to five tons of dead fish washed up on the lagoon shores in just one week.
Trash
While trash is a problem in the Mar Menor, the real environmental crisis comes fromchemicals released by human activities, including agriculture, tourism and urbanization. These substances are having a much larger impact on the lagoon's health.
Boat
Boats in the Mar Menor lagoon are important for fishing and tourism. However, too many boats can hurt the delicate ecosystem by causing pollution, disturbing marine life, and damaging seagrass beds. To help protect the lagoon's health, boat mooring was banned in some areas in 2023.
SMARTLAGOON buoy
As part of the SMARTLAGOON project, a special buoy with lots of sensors has been set up in the Mar Menor. This buoy collects a huge amount of data that helps scientists understand and find solutions to the environmental problems affecting the lagoon.
Chat
Explore the delicate relationships that keep the Mar Menor ecosystem thriving. Ask any question and the lagoon will answer!
Click on one of the questions below, or use the "Register" button to ask whatever you want.