On 6 June 2023, a terrorist attack by the Russian occupation forces destroyed the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, leading to the largest environmental disaster of the 21st century in Europe, preceded only by the Chernobyl disaster (1986). A large number of settlements were flooded, and the water level in some places rose by about 6 metres. Remnants of buildings, household waste, animal corpses are being washed into the Black Sea, reptiles from the Kherson region are being found in Odesa, and fast water is carrying explosive objects to the Black Sea coast and surrounding areas.
Let’s try to analyse in more detail what the Black Sea will face in the near future and in the future.
One of the first threats to the Black Sea from the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP is the risk of desalination [1]. At this stage, the salinity of the sea on the coast of Odesa (Ukraine) has almost tripled, as evidenced by the data provided by experts from the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine. Sea water samples were taken in Odesa at Nova Dofinivka (berth 243), Lanzheron Beach and the 16th-century Big Fountain.
The results of laboratory tests showed an excess (11.06.2023):
– Novaya Dofinovka (berth 243): suspended solids – 1.6 times; total iron – 9 times; mineralisation 2.7 times below the norm.
– Langeron: total iron – 5.2 times; mineralisation – 2.9 times below the norm.
– Large fountain of the 16th century: suspended solids – 1.1 times; total iron – 3.4 times; mineralisation 2.9 times below the norm.
However, one of the main problems is the amount of pollutants that can enter the Black Sea. This includes the oil that was spilled during the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station and other sources of pollution arising from the river flow.
Chemicals from flooded factories and infectious agents from flooded cemeteries and landfills enter the river. Subsequently, they reach the Dnipro-Bug estuary and then the Black Sea. These pollutants can have a serious impact on the latter’s biodiversity. First of all, it will lead to disruption of the estuary’s vital functions. The most vulnerable in this region is the Nizhnedniprovsky National Nature Park. It has a unique natural landscape, including Red Data Book species of plants and animals. All this is now under threat of destruction.
According to Ruslan Strilets, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam in the Nizhnedniprovsky National Park caused the water level near the islands to rise by 3 metres over an area of more than 77,000 hectares.
At least 150 tonnes of oil got into the Dnipro River, and scientists currently see only one possible way to clean the water from oil products. Oil is lighter than water and spreads over the surface. Scientists note that oil can spread over the surface of water.
Large quantities of fresh water contaminated with pesticides and other agrochemicals from flooded areas could enter the Black Sea via the Dnipro River. This could have far-reaching consequences not only for Ukrainian waters, but also for fisheries in the territorial waters of other countries in the Black Sea basin, depending on the prevailing currents.
As a result of the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP, losses to Ukraine’s fishing industry from the death of adults alone could reach 95,000 tonnes or about UAH 4 billion. In total, according to preliminary estimates, losses from the death of all bioresources will amount to UAH 10.5 billion (approximately EUR 260 million) [3].
The negative consequences of the devastation of aquatic bioresources will continue for several years to come, even if the bed of the Kakhovka reservoir is filled in the near future. Restoration of the quantitative and qualitative composition of fish populations and restoration of the bottom food supply will take a long time.
We emphasise that all data are preliminary estimates only. Final conclusions can only be made after the water level stabilises.
Water flows wash away and destroy minefields. This could threaten the safety of farming in all areas downstream. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, together with UNICEF Ukraine, warns that the rapid current is lifting mines and unexploded ordnance from the ground. They drift along the Dnipro and can unexpectedly explode. The current can also bring them ashore at spill sites, which is very dangerous for people. Also in Ukraine, in the Odesa region, an anchor river mine was washed up on the seashore near the village of Kurortne by a flood. According to the markings on the munition, it is an anchor river mine (ARM). This mine was developed back in the Soviet Union and is designed to counter enemy landing craft by being placed in the waters of rivers, lakes and reservoirs. The mine is triggered when a watercraft comes into contact with the fuzing traverse. It is forbidden to defuse АRM mines, i.e. their elimination is ordered either by detonating the explosive charge or by trawling with all precautions [4].
While on holiday on the Black Sea coast, be sure to remind your children of mine safety rules that can save lives!
The explosion of the Kakhovka HPP will cause irreparable damage to the environment and fauna of the Black Sea, and it is currently impossible to calculate the amount of damage.
There is a danger of pollution of the Black Sea caused by the dam and tributary explosion.
It should be noted that over the 16 months of Russia’s active aggressive war against Ukraine, more than 50,000 Black Sea dolphins have been killed and hundreds injured. Powerful signals destroy the dolphin’s acoustic system, and it becomes completely “blind”, unable to sense space, unable to navigate, and worst of all, unable to find food. The Black Sea dolphins live only here, they do not enter the Mediterranean Sea, so they are ours, the Black Sea dolphins, and the sustainable life of the Black Sea depends on them. They are at the top of the food chain, the entire ecosystem, and if dolphins disappear, there are no sanitation workers, no predators that control the population of other animals, other fish, so the development of other species changes. Secondly, cetaceans are generally responsible for the balance of the ecosystem. It is believed that cetaceans, especially whales and dolphins, support life on the planet, as almost 40% of CO2 is absorbed by the ocean and sea [5].
Source:
- Не лише опріснення і забруднення: що загрожує Чорному морю після підриву Каховської ГЕС
https://24tv.ua/pidriv-kahovskoyi-ges-shho-zagrozhuye-chornomu-moryu-yak-zapobigti_n2330691 https://24tv.ua/pidriv-kahovskoyi-ges-shho-zagrozhuye-chornomu-moryu-yak-zapobigti_n2330691 http://surl.li/hzyew - Economic Consequences of the Dam Destruction at the Kakhovka HPS https://ces.org.ua/ekonomichni-naslidki-rujnuvannya-kahovsko%d1%97-ges/
- Знищення росіянами Каховської ГЕС завдало значних збитків сільському господарству України https://minagro.gov.ua/news/znishchennya-rosiyanami-kahovskoyi-ges-zavdalo-znachnih-zbitkiv-silskomu-gospodarstvu-ukrayini
- Стрімка течія піднімає нерозірвані боєприпаси, вони дрейфують Дніпром і можуть вибухнути – МВС https://t.me/mvs_ukraine/26090
- “У Чорному морі через війну загинуло від 50 тис. дельфінів, сотні – контужені.” Iнтерв’ю з науковцем парку “Тузлівські лимани” https://ukrainian.voanews.com/a/u-chornomu-mori-cherez-viinu-zagynuly-delphiny/7090817.html
