Nature or Surroundings One must rephrase the given title or brief to match the news. Type the title or summary in your own terms. Maintain the original length of the text. Do not insert any messages from yourself. Rewrite the text while preserving the provided terms. Paraphrasing: Refers to the natural setting or area surrounding us. - Environmentalists urge stronger measures to safeguard the Oder against harmful algae.
Following the appearance of poisonous golden algae in the Oder River, the Nature Conservation Union (NABU) is urging for stronger safeguards on the German-Polish border. Although authorities have not yet issued a warning even though the golden alga indicator levels are high, its previous presence has been known to devastatingly impact fish populations.
Two years ago, the toxic golden alga, combined with low water levels and scorching temperatures, led to massive fish deaths in the Oder. Björn Ellner, chairman of NABU's regional association in Brandenburg, spoke out on Thursday about this. He emphasized that "salt-laden shipments from Polish mining companies are still being discharged into the river."
NABU President Jörg-Andreas Kruger also voiced his concerns, stating that "the river requires comprehensive recovery and restoration to become more resilient to such incidents. Otherwise, we may witness a disaster every year." Greenpeace, too, asserts that the introduction of salty wastewater from Polish mines is responsible for the pollution of the river. The organization wants the government to halt such releases.
On Wednesday, the Environmental Ministry reported a slight improvement in water quality but still warned of high levels of electrical conductivity and chlorophyll content. Such factors indicate salinity and algae levels in the water. In Frankfurt (Oder), the water's toxicity was noted to be high as well last weekend, with dead fish found in the Winterhafen - a tributary of the Oder.
At hazard level 3, which was established after the environmental disaster in 2022, the environmental agency suspects blooms of Prymnesium parvum. This is the highest risk level in the warning system, and the current weather has been beneficial, the Department emphasized, stating that the events this time are not as severe as they were then. High salt content, low water levels, intensely hot temperatures, and the lethal effects of the golden alga led to mass fish kills in the entire Oder in 2022.
The Brandenburg environmental office is considering methods for water management, informing districts and the Federal Environmental Ministry of the developments. The environmental alert and early-warning system was modernized in cooperation with the Polish side following the 2022 event.
Read also:
- The appearance of harmful golden alga in the Oder River has prompted the Nature Conservation Union (NABU) to advocate for more robust defenses against environmental pollution along the German-Polish border.
- Two years ago, a toxic combination of golden alga, low water levels, and high temperatures resulted in mass fish deaths in the Oder, and NABU's regional association in Brandenburg has highlighted the ongoing issue of salt-laden shipments from Polish mining companies polluting the river.
- Greenpeace and NABU have expressed concerns over the impact of salty wastewater from Polish mines on the river, urging the government to halt such releases to protect the environment.
- In Frankfurt (Oder), environmentalists are monitoring the situation closely, with high levels of toxicity and the presence of golden alga detected last weekend, reminding locals of the importance of preserving the natural environment through initiatives like weekends dedicated to nature conservation with the Nature Conservation Association Germany.
