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An EU analysis of the ecological disaster in the Oder River of 2022
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An EU analysis of the ecological disaster in the Oder River of 2022

Lessons learned and research-based recommendations to avoid future ecological damage in EU rivers, a joint analysis from DG ENV, JRC and the EEA

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During August 2022 massive fish kills were noted on the Oder river and eventually resulted in the death of approximately 360 tonnes of fish and had an ecological impact along 500 km of the river. It is almost certain that their deaths were caused by a substantial toxic algal bloom that happened at this time. The causal species was identified as Prymnesium parvum, a species adapted to brackish salinities. A key factor that enabled the proliferation of this species was the high salinity of the Oder river during this time, probably due, at least partly to discharges of industrial wastewater with a high salt content e.g. from mining activities. Other contributing factors were the drought and the resulting low water levels reducing dilution and flow and also hydromorphological modifications to the river. High nutrient concentrations, especially phosphorus and nitrogen were also key in promoting the algal blooms. In the future, this could be avoided by improving online monitoring coupled with mandatory communication of pollution events across international river basin districts. It may also be necessary to review and implement dynamic control of all licenced discharges and review the role of hydromorphological modifications in slowing the flow allowing time for blooms to develop. In addition, a complete investigation of discharges in the catchment should be carried out to explain the increase in salt load that played a key role in bloom development. The presence and spread of this invasive and toxic algal species will most likely continue. Therefore, management strategies to prevent its proliferation must now be prioritised in this catchment but also in all other susceptible European river basin districts. A preliminary risk assessment of rivers using data available in the European Environment Agency (EEA) Waterbase database can be found in Annex 1.
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ISSN 1831-9424
ISBN 978-92-76-99314-8
DOI 10.2760/067386
Katalogo numeris KJ-NA-31-418-EN-N
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ISSN 1831-9424 ISBN 978-92-76-99314-8 DOI 10.2760/067386 Katalogo numeris KJ-NA-31-418-EN-N
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