Fertilizer disaster: Hahle suffers after massive fish deaths!

Fertilizer disaster: Hahle suffers after massive fish deaths!

During a fertilizer accident in Westerode, several thousand liters of liquid fertilizer recently found their way into the Wipper and Nathe streams, which led to massive fish deaths in Rollshausen. This reports that Göttingen Tageblatt. The Rollshausen fishing club (ASV) is also affected, as it has already collected numerous dead fish from the waters. In order to accurately assess the ecological and economic damage, an expert was commissioned.

### Ecological studies

The investigations are under the professional supervision of expert Jürgen Rommelmann, who receives support from ASV member Markus Wagner. A highly specialized process, electrofishing, is used to record the current fish population in the cave. This method, which requires a permit, uses electricity to stun the fish so they can be counted, measured and then released back into the water. Before starting electrofishing, Rommelmann measures the water parameters such as oxygen content, pH value and temperature in order to determine the optimal current intensity.

Members of friendly fishing clubs are also present at the Hahle Bridge in Rollshausen, which strengthens the community spirit. The first section of 100 meters was then completed after about half an hour. An eel, a stream lamprey and three sculpins were caught, which were measured and then returned to the cave. However, Rommelmann noted that the finds are not representative of the section and that more animals are expected.

### Long-term monitoring and data

In addition to these current studies, data on water quality and biodiversity are also included in the assessment. The Bavarian Environmental Authority documents in its Water quality 2022 that Bavarian rivers are regularly examined for biological, chemical and physical parameters at selected measuring points. A five-point scale is used to assess the ecological status, with the overall rating based on the worst result of the biological quality components.

The reports of Federal Environment Agency According to long-term monitoring, negative or positive trends in water status can be identified and documented. With the introduction of the EC Water Framework Directive, the systematic assessment of the “ecological status” of water bodies was launched. Biological, hydromorphological and chemical-physical components are included in the evaluation.

### Conclusion

The incidents in Westerode once again highlight the need to take water quality in our region seriously and take appropriate measures to prevent such an incident. The ongoing investigations and the data collected are crucial to assess the damage and take the necessary steps to restore ecological balance. It remains to be hoped that the affected waters will recover as quickly as possible and a return to their usual diversity can be achieved.