Poland Battles Toxic Golden Alga After New Fish Kill in Oder River Tributary

Polish authorities are confronting a renewed fish kill in a tributary of the Oder River, caused by the toxic golden alga. In recent days, officials have retrieved more than four tons of dead fish from a section of the Gleiwitz Canal.

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More than four tons of dead fish have been recovered from a section of the Gleiwitz Canal.

The water authority stated that the fish deaths are due to a bloom of the golden alga. To prevent the alga from spreading to other parts of the canal, operations at two sluices have been temporarily suspended.

Should the alga continue to spread, the water authority is considering the controlled release of hydrogen peroxide, a substance known to destroy the alga's cells. Patrols on water and land are monitoring the situation closely.

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The fish deaths are due to the bloom of the golden alga.

This incident echoes the massive fish die-off in the Oder River during the summer of 2022. Experts at the time concluded that the golden alga, identified as Prymnesium parvum, was the most likely cause of that ecological disaster.

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The golden alga Prymnesium parvum was the most likely cause of the fish's death.