Murighiol salt flats, a strictly protected area in the Danube Delta

Murighiol salt flats: a saline micro-universe in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve

The Keeper of an Authentic Saline Landscape

The Sărăturile Murighiol Protected Natural Area is a unique ecological segment within the vast territory of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DBRD). Although relatively modest in size, at 87 hectares, its exceptional ecological value is recognised nationally and internationally. The area's name, 'Murighiol', has its roots in Turkish, from the words 'moru' (purple) and 'ghiol' (lake), a direct reference to the distinctive colour of its waters, rich in salts and mineralised silt.

The Murighiol salt marshes are not a simple wetland but a specialised ecosystem, integrated in a complex protection hierarchy. Along with the other components of the Delta, the area is recognised globally through its inclusion in the International Network of Biosphere Reserves as part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme since 1990. It was also declared a Wetland Site of International Importance (RAMSAR site) in September 1991, a status which emphasises its vital role as a habitat for water birds. This global recognition attests to the special importance of the area for maintaining biodiversity on a global scale.

Legal Status and Protection Framework - The Conservation Foundation

The legal status of the Murighiol Reserves is precisely defined by national legislation and Romania's international commitments. The area is a protected area of national interest, being categorised in IUCN category I-a (strict nature reserve), with an avifaunal and floristic profile. This classification indicates the highest level of protection, where the main aim is the conservation of the ecosystem and economic activities are strictly prohibited.

The official declaration as a protected area was confirmed by Law No. 5 of 6 March 2000, published in the Official Journal of Romania. Previously, the area was also included under Law No 82/1993, the legal act that established the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.

In addition, Sărăturile Murighiol is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000. Thus, the area is included in the Natura 2000 sites ROSCI0065 (Danube Delta) and ROSPA0031 (Danube Delta and Razim-Sinoie Complex). The existence of this layered protection framework - from the national to the European and international (UNESCO, RAMSAR) level - is not a simple overlapping of titles. Each level of recognition imposes a series of management and conservation obligations. The Administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (ARBDD) is the institution directly responsible for managing and enforcing the regulations, while the international status obliges the Romanian state to respect global ecological standards. This robust legal structure provides the basis for the justification and implementation of active conservation measures, including through partnerships with European funds.

A Unique Geological and Hydrological Landscape

The reserve is located on the administrative territory of Murighiol commune, in Tulcea county, in the immediate vicinity of Sfântu Gheorghe inlet. Geologically, the area is part of the Dunavățului Plain, an alluvial plain formed in the past. This geography is key to understanding the unique nature of the reserve. In the past, the Sărături Murighiol lake communicated directly with the Danube, but was gradually cut off by alluvium from the Sfântu Gheorghe Arm. This isolation has led to the progressive salinisation of the waters, transforming the area into an ecosystem distinct from the rest of the freshwater-dominated Delta. Thus, it is not just a simple lake, but a living testimony to the geological and hydrological evolution of the fluvio-marine delta.

Its unique hydrological characteristics, with saline waters rich in salts and mineralised silt, are what determine its ecological specificity. The fact that this lake is different from most other water bodies in the Danube Delta explains why it functions as a refuge habitat and a key destination for species of birds and plants adapted to a saline environment, which are not found elsewhere in the delta.

Exceptional Biodiversity: A Refuge for Rare Birds and Plants

The Murighiol salt marshes are a focal point of biodiversity, playing a crucial role as a resting, feeding and nesting area for numerous species of birds, both migratory and sedentary. It is particularly important for wading birds, a category of shorebirds that prefer shallow water and impoverished soils.

Among the emblematic species that nest in colonies in this reserve are the hammer (Recurvirostra avosetta) and piciorongul (Himantopus himantopus - Black-winged stilt). The area is also home to colonies of  black-headed gulls (Larus melanocephalus) and other species common to the Delta, such as puddle chira (Hirundo tern), red duck (Aythya nyroca), goose, goose, pelican, magpie or reed stubble (Circus aeruginosus).  

A notable ecological event, which underlines the health of the ecosystem, was the appearance in 2021 of more than 100 flamingos on the lakes of Tuzla and Sărăturile Murighiol. The presence of these birds, which are not a common sight in Romania, is a highly reliable indicator of a favourable natural environment. Biologists believe that their occurrence is due to the favourable conditions, the diversity of habitats and the abundance of food, especially algae and crustaceans specific to the saline environment. This observation proves that the specific food chain of the Murighiol salt marshes is robust and non-threatened, able to sustain even unexpected guests, providing a direct validation of the success of the protection measures.

In addition to its birdlife, the reserve is notable for its specialised flora. The vegetation is dominated by halophilous species adapted to salty soils. The marsh vegetation, consisting of reeds, reeds and pipirig, provides excellent nesting and roosting conditions for birds. In addition, rare or legally protected plant species have been reported in the reserve, including Paronychia cephalotes and Koeleria lobata.  

Threats and the Active Conservation Vision

Despite its status as a strictly protected area, the Murighiol salt marshes face a number of man-made threats that put constant pressure on the fragile ecosystem. Among the main problems identified are overgrazingwhich directly affect bird flora and nests, and  risk of vegetation fireswhich can irreversibly destroy habitats and weaken food chains. Add to this pressure uncontrolled tourism, a systemic factor throughout the delta.  

Mere legal regulation and access bans have proved insufficient to fully counter these pressures. Conservation authorities have recognised this and have initiated a transition from a passive to an active protection model, based on infrastructure and proactive intervention. This is demonstrated by the project "Conservation of the strictly protected area Sărăturile Murighiol", mainly funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The project, totalling over 7.6 million lei, aims to implement concrete measures to eliminate anthropogenic pressures. Its main objectives include:

• Build a 5.36-kilometre fence around the strict protected area to prevent illegal grazing.  
• Construction of a PSI (Emergency Service Post) to fight and limit the risk of fires.  
• Organise information and awareness campaigns to change the behaviour of visitors and locals, reducing anthropogenic impacts.  

This project is an exemplary case study of how a simple prohibition (passive protection) is not enough, but needs to be complemented by physical and educational measures (active protection) to ensure the long-term conservation of such an important natural site.

The Responsible Visitor's Guide: How to explore the Murighiol Villages

In order to preserve the fragile balance of this ecosystem, visits to the Murighiol salt marshes are strictly protected. Entering the strictly protected area is forbidden and is only allowed for research and surveillance activities. However, the beauty and diversity of birdlife can be admired from a specially designated place.

Visitors are encouraged to practise 'remote viewing' by discreetly approaching up to 5 metres from the water's edge on the county road (DJ222C), using binoculars is essential to observe the birds without disturbing them.

For access to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, including the Sărăturile Murighiol area, it is necessary to obtain an access permit issued by the ARBDD. Although there is no specific fee for the reserve, general permits are mandatory.

For a responsible visit, a strict code of conduct is recommended, including keeping quiet, no camping, no fires, and no littering, picking plants or capturing wildlife.

A Destination to Remember, an Ecosystem to Protect

The Murighiol salt pits are much more than just a tourist attraction; they are a natural monument, a testimony to geological processes and a vital sanctuary for biodiversity adapted to unique environmental conditions. Its exceptional role as a habitat for rare bird species, also demonstrated by the remarkable occurrence of flamingos, emphasises its ecological importance.

The future of this area depends on a delicate balance between its full protection and respectful, well-informed visitation. The EU-funded conservation project marks a crucial step from regulation-based protection to proactive protection through physical infrastructure and awareness campaigns. However, the individual responsibility of each visitor remains a key factor. By following the rules and code of conduct, visitors contribute to the long-term conservation of this unique ecosystem. Murighiol's wilderness invites us to appreciate the beauty of nature from a perspective of deep respect and shared responsibility.