No evidence of pollution in the Bulgarian Black Sea area after Kakhovka dam destruction in Ukraine

The Ministry of Environment and Waters is ensuring constant and complete monitoring of possible environmental damage in the Bulgarian Black Sea area following the destruction of the wall of the Nova Kakhovka dam, located on the Dnieper River in Ukraine.

The latest data from the digital modelling of the Centre for Integrated Management and Monitoring of the Coastal Zone at “N. Vaptsarov” Naval Academy show no pollution in the Bulgarian Black Sea area with potential contaminants due to the incident.

On June 27, Black Sea Basin Directorate took samples from three coastal points - Durankulak, Shabla and Kaliakra. In addition to the monitoring carried out so far, additional indicators have been included to monitor the potential impact of the waters along the Dnieper River on the Black Sea.

From the samples taken at these sites, the Directorate has a series of data in connection with the monitoring of marine waters that started in June 2022. The same indicators are monitored as at the coastal sites (metals, petroleum products, radionuclides, pesticides, etc.). The stations are located in marine waters about 1 - 1.5 km from the coast. Two of the three sites coincide with national monitoring sites for marine waters, allowing a history of analyses to be traced back over the years.

The first results are expected within 10 days.

The prevailing southerly winds in recent days are suppressing and directing the waters of the Dnieper, Dniester and Danube rivers - below and above the Danube delta - in a northerly direction. In turn, the water of the Danube is also suppressing and directing the waters of the other two rivers in a northerly direction. This delays the Dnieper waters reaching the territorial waters of Bulgaria.

The Black Sea Basin Directorate and the Regional Laboratory - Varna of the Executive Environmental Agency monitor the state of the Black Sea waters on a weekly basis at three additional sites in the coastal zone that were designated in response to the newly emerged situation - Durankulak coast, Shabla coast and Kaliakra coast.

Black Sea Basin Directorate and the Regional Laboratory of the Executive Environmental Agency in the coastal city of Varna carried out the weekly monitoring of the quality of coastal sea waters, taking samples from three coastal points - Durankulak, Shabla and Kaliakra.

The results of the testing of samples taken on 19 June, 2023 in the Bulgarian Black Sea area were released on 26 June.

An assessment of the trends related to the observed water status can be made after the accumulation of data from at least four measurements.

The Ministry of Environment exchanges on a daily basis information with the Ukrainian, Moldovan and Romanian authorities on potential pollution of the Black Sea waters.

The radiation background in the Odessa region is within normal limits. The Bulgarian Embassy in Kiev informs about this in its regular information. Up-to-date information on the results of the measurements made is provided to the competent institutions and the public in due time.

The monitoring of the state of marine waters is coordinated with the Ministry of Tourism with a view to the smooth running of the tourist season.

Reports of possible signs of pollution along the coastline can be submitted to the Environment Ministry’s Green Phone: 0887 088440 or 02/9888205, as well as to the email address: nccw@moew.government.bg and also to the Green Phone of the Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection - Varna: 0884 290 634 or 052/634 582, Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection - Burgas: 0889 096 577 or 056/813 212, Black Sea Region - Varna. 0886 406 816.

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