Poland implements hydrogen peroxide into Oder-Neisse River system.
Baffled Polish officials: Swarmed by deceased fish, they resort to toxic chemicals to curb the proliferation of harmful golden algae in Oder tributaries' waters. Temporary remedy, not long-term solution.
Upon discovering vast quantities of lifeless fish in Oder's tributaries, Polish authorities are taking drastic measures to combat the outbreak of harmful golden algae. As of late, hydrogen peroxide has been deployed into a designated area of the Gliwitzer Canal, a tributary linked to the Oder. The Environment Ministry in Warsaw reported, "Preliminary findings indicate that hydrogen peroxide has effectively disrupted golden algae cells, reducing its presence by nearly 90 to 99.9 percent."
The authorities, however, emphasize that hydrogen peroxide usage is merely an emergency tactic. As Environment Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska stated, "Our primary objective, of course, is to decrease the pollutants entering the Gliwitzer Canal's reservoir and eventually the Oder itself."
Poland is devising a strategy to minimize salt inputs from mining, a significant contributor to the issue. In the past two weeks, Polish officials have retrieved a grand total of 77 metric tons of deceased fish from the Gliwitzer Canal and the Dzierzno Duze reservoir. The Environment Ministry deemed this event a local environmental calamity. Back in the summer of 2022, the Oder witnessed a massive fish mortality as well. Experts in both Germany and Poland pointed towards Golden Algae (Prymnesium parvum) and its toxic effects as the likely culprit.
The Gliwitzer Canal, a 41-kilometer-long body of water connecting the Upper Silesian city of Gliwice to the Oder, has been an operational waterway since 1939. Last summer, an alarming number of lifeless fish were discovered within it as well. Authorities proceeded to enhance the water's oxygen content.
The Polish authorities have reached out to the Ministry of the Environment in Warsaw for long-term solutions to address the recurring issue of harmful golden algae in the Oder tributaries. Recognizing the temporary nature of hydrogen peroxide as a remedy, the Ministry is currently investigating sustainable methods to combat the algae and reduce environmental damage.
