When the Razelm/Golovița system was closed off from the sea in the late 1970s, this resulted in several changes to the ecological conditions of the system, including a decrease in salinity to almost zero, an increase in refreshment time to over a year, and episodes of
eutrophication. Despite this
environmental degradation, the system remains an important habitat. Three families of
cockles could be found in Romania in the 1960s, and the two that remain are found only in Razelm (albeit at reduced densities).
Popina Island at the north end of the lake is an important refuge for many bird species and invertebrates. The recent ecological study suggests that the Razim-Sinoie lagoon system is close to the good ecological status according to the requirements of the
Water Framework Directive. == Climate ==