The Oder River flows into Poland and Germany. According to Polish media, the first reports of fishermen finding dead fish on the banks of the river appeared at the end of July. Authorities report that thousands of dead fish have been found so far, first in Lower Silesia, but now in the north near Luboski county. Several tons of dead fish have already been removed from the river.
According to the measurements, the oxygen content in the water is higher than the usual summer oxygen concentrations. It is possible that a substance with strong oxidizing properties has entered the water, the relevant authorities announced last week. In addition, the toxic substance mesitylene was found in two places. It is not recommended for people to swim in the river.
Poland and Brandenburg believe the fish died of poisoning. This could be a mercury-containing substance, as it has now been found. Poland does not want to draw any conclusions yet. “A lot of substances have been found that can kill fish and we can’t say why now.”
There is frustration in Germany because the poison, according to the Germans, comes from Poland. “And this was not reported by the alarm systems, so we can only respond when we see dead fish,” said the head of the environment department in Brandenburg.
