Polish officials tackle harmful golden algae blooms in Oder River tributaries
In Poland, harmful golden algae are spreading in tributaries of the Oder River, as reported by the Climate Ministry in Warsaw. They've taken action with various methods, stating that hydrogen peroxide was released into the Klodnica River at the Gleiwitzer Canal's entrance, reducing the algae population by an astonishing 90%. From August 3rd to August 16th, approximately 77 metric tons of fish perished in the affected canal area and the adjacent Dierzno Duze lake.
The primary reason behind this golden algae bloom is saltwater pollution in rivers, caused by the mining sector. Poland has plans to construct desalination facilities to tackle this issue.
During the summer of 2022, a massive amount of deceased fish were discovered in the Oder River, which shares a border between Poland and Germany. This fish die-off led to diplomatic strains between the two nations, with Germany mainly blaming Poland for disregarding the required notification procedures for such events and delivering delayed information.**
Despite the mining sector's contribution to saltwater pollution in Polish rivers, the country is making strides in addressing the issue. Poland is planning to build desalination facilities using funds primarily from the European Union, demonstrating their commitment to Polish and European environmental conservation efforts.
Additionally, Poland's efforts to combat golden algae in their waterways have extended beyond the Oder River. In neighboring regions, such as those with significant Polish populations, preventive measures are being discussed and implemented to protect freshwater ecosystems.
