Environmentalists have identified the cause of the fish kill in the Odesa region

Experts tested water from the Myrnivsky Canal in the Izmail region and detected hydrogen sulfide, as well as levels of iron, sulfates, and BOD₅ that exceeded the standards. Environmentalists believe that the fish kill was caused by natural processes of organic decomposition and a drop in water levels during the hot season.

This was reported by the State Environmental Inspection of the Southwestern District.

According to the test results, a hydrogen sulfide concentration of 0.010 mg/dm³ was recorded in the surface water sample. Excessive levels were also found: sulfates were 1.2 times the standard, iron was 1.1 times the standard, and BOD₅ was 1.7 times the standard.

A mass die-off of aquatic life in the“Mirnivsky” irrigation canal in the Izmail District of the Odesa Region was recorded on August 31. Among the dead fish were pike, roach, perch, and crucian carp.

Previously, a mass fish kill was recorded in the Khadzhibey Estuary. Environmental inspectors visited the site three times, collected water samples, and identified the possible causes of the fish deaths.

Surveysof the estuarywere conducted on July 22, August 13, and August 18, 2026. During these visits, specialists collected surface water samples from various sections of the body of water.

Laboratory tests revealed that certain regulated parameters were exceeded, as well as the presence of hydrogen sulfide in all samples tested.

Юлія Калабайда