Geography question from JKAS Prelims, 2022 by JKPSC
Assertion (A): Sea snot is a slimy layer of grey or green sludge that floats on the surface of seas, which can cause damage to the marine ecosystem.
Reason (R): The nutrient overload occurs when algae feast on warm weather caused by global warming.
Choose the correct one:
Last updated May 13, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option A —
Both A and R are true, R is the correct explanation of A
Understanding Sea Snot (Marine Mucilage)
Assertion (A): Sea snot is a slimy layer of grey or green sludge that floats on the surface of seas, which can cause damage to the marine ecosystem.
Status: Correct.
Details: Formally known as marine mucilage, it is a collection of mucus-like organic matter. It poses a severe threat to the ecosystem by:
Clogging the gills of fish and other marine creatures (causing suffocation).
Blocking sunlight from reaching coral reefs and seagrasses.
Depleting oxygen levels in the water as it decomposes, creating "dead zones."
Reason (R): The nutrient overload occurs when algae feast on warm weather caused by global warming.
Status: Correct.
Details: The primary cause of sea snot is the overgrowth of algae (phytoplankton). This happens due to two main factors:
Global Warming: Rising sea temperatures provide the ideal environment for algae to multiply rapidly.
Nutrient Overload: Pollution from agricultural runoff (fertilizers) and untreated sewage provides excessive nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, which "feed" the algae.
Why R explains A:
The Reason explains the biological process (algal bloom due to heat and nutrients) that creates the physical sludge described in the Assertion. The "snot" is essentially the byproduct or the protective mucus secreted by these stressed or overgrown algae.
Key Historical Context
In recent years (notably in 2021), this phenomenon reached crisis levels in the Sea of Marmara in Turkey. It served as a major case study for environmentalists regarding the combined effects of local water pollution and global climate trends.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
