- Inquiring about the condition of the Odder.
The Brandenburg State Environmental Agency (LfU) is currently taking a relaxed approach towards the spread of the harmful golden alga in the Oder River. According to information from Poland and their own data, they currently view the situation along the German-Polish border section of the Oder as non-critical, stated a representative from the environmental agency to the German Press Agency. The levels of algae in the border Oder are presently quite low, and there's no indication of toxicity, added the spokesperson.
Recently, Polish authorities had reported substantial concentrations of the golden alga Prymnesium parvum and numerous dead fish in the Gleiwitz Canal and a reservoir. These two tributaries are approximately four to five days' flow away from the German-Polish border Oder.
Polish authorities are currently closely scrutinizing whether the golden alga may have made its way to the main river from these tributaries, the spokesperson pointed out. "At present, based on our knowledge, this is unlikely," he said, mentioning that the alga can only be detected in minimal amounts or not at all.
High Alert
The spokesperson emphasized the improvement in communication with Polish authorities, resulting in a faster exchange of data. As a result, the LfU staff anticipates a warning period if larger quantities of the golden alga from the Gleiwitz Canal were to reach the main river and multiply there. The LfU remains in a "high alert state" and is closely monitoring the situation in the middle and upper reaches of the Oder, the spokesperson clarified.
Two years ago, substantial fish kills occurred in the Oder. High salt levels, low water levels, high temperatures, and the alga's toxin were identified as the primary causes of the mass fish deaths in August 2022.
In the opinion of environmental experts, the root causes of the deaths haven't been adequately addressed. Polish mining companies continue to discharge salt-rich cargo into the river, and expansion plans for the Oder further strain the already weakened ecosystem of the river.
The spokesperson mentioned that, as of now, there's no indication of the harmful golden alga Prymnesium parvum from the Gleiwitz Canal reaching The Potsdam, which is significantly downstream on the Oder River. Despite the improved communication with Polish authorities, the Brandenburg State Environmental Agency (LfU) remains in a "high alert state" and continues to closely monitor the situation.
