Fertilizer disaster: Hahle suffers after massive fish deaths!

Fertilizer disaster: Hahle suffers after massive fish deaths!

Rollshausen, Deutschland - Several thousand liters of liquid fertilizer recently reached the streams of Wipper and Nathe, which led to a massive fish extinction in Rollshausen in a fertilizer-havaria in Westerode. This reports the Göttinger Tageblatt . The Fishing Sports Association (ASV) Rollshausen, which has already collected numerous dead fish from the waters, is also affected. In order to precisely assess the ecological and economic damage, an expert was commissioned.

### Ecological examinations

The investigations are under the professional supervision of expert Jürgen Rommelmann, who receives support from ASV member Markus Wagner. A highly specialized procedure, the electric fishing, is used when recording the current fish stock in the Hahle. This method, which is subject to approval, uses electricity to numb the fish so that they can be counted, measured and then released into the water. Before the start of the electric fishing, Rommelmann measures the water parameters such as oxygen content, pH and temperature to determine the optimal power intensity.

At the Hahlebrücke in Rollshausen, members of friendly fishing clubs are also present, which strengthens the community thoughts. The first section of 100 meters was then edited after about half an hour. An eel, a stream nine and three groppy were caught, which were measured and then reset to the Hahle. However, Rommelmann found that the finds for the section are not representative and that more animals are expected.

### long -term monitoring and data

In addition to these current studies, data on water quality and biodiversity also flow into the evaluation. The Bavarian Environmental Authority documents in its water quality 2022 Parameters are examined. A five -stage scale is used to evaluate the ecological state, whereby the overall rating is based on the worst result of the biological quality components.

The reports of the According to the Federal Environment Agency , it results from long-term surveillance that negative or positive trends can be recognized and documented in water. With the introduction of the EC water framework guideline, the systematic evaluation of the "ecological state" of the waters was launched. Biological, hydromorphological and chemical-physical components flow into the evaluation.

### FAZIT

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