An environmental activist reported record-high salinity in the Sea of Azov

The Sea of Azov is rapidly losing its unique freshwater character, and its salinity is already approaching that of the Black Sea. According to environmental activist Yulia Marhel, these ecological changes have already led to the emergence of new species and are irreversibly reshaping the entire marine ecosystem.

She spokeabout this in an interview with Berdyansk 24.

Yulia Markhel noted that the salinization of the Sea of Azov began long before the full-scale war. This process is influenced by a decrease in freshwater inflow from the Don and Kuban rivers, river regulation, climate change, evaporation, and water exchange with the Black Sea.

Currently, the occupiers are spreading claims that the salinity of the Sea of Azov has allegedly reached 16 promille. Due to the occupation, Ukrainian scientists do not have access to the water area and therefore cannot verify these figures.

The environmental activist explained that changes in salinity affect living organisms and disrupt the entire marine food chain. Consequently, the Sea of Azov is already seeing an increase in organisms typically found in highly saline waters. This applies, in particular, to jellyfish. Meanwhile, the traditional inhabitants of these waters are being displaced. 

The condition of the sea is also affected by toxic pollution resulting from military operations. According to Yulia Markhel, after de-occupation, it will take years of scientific research, demining, and large-scale cleanup.

As Intent previously reported, experts tested water from the Myrnivsky Canal in the Izmail region and detected hydrogen sulfide, as well as levels of iron, sulfates, and BOD₅ exceeding the norms. Environmentalists believe that the fish kill was caused by natural processes of organic decomposition and a drop in water levels during the hot season.

Юлія Калабайда