Damage to the marine environment of the Odesa region from the war exceeded UAH 23 billion

Due to missile strikes on port infrastructure, pollutants have repeatedly entered the Black Sea waters.

Damage to the marine environment of the Odesa region as a result of the full-scale war exceeded 23 billion hryvnias. This was reported by the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine of the South-Western District, writes Odesa Online.

Due to missile strikes and damage to port infrastructure, experts have repeatedly recorded the entry of pollutants into the Black Sea waters. One of the most common types of pollution was vegetable oils from destroyed port facilities.

Despite its relative safety for humans, after entering the water, oil forms a dense film on the surface of the sea, which prevents gas exchange between the atmosphere and water. This worsens the oxygen regime and harms fish, invertebrates and other marine organisms. The consequences may not appear immediately, but after a long time.

At the same time, according to NOAA data, a sea spill of sunflower oil, which sinks to the bottom and forms a crust on the bottom and concrete-like lumps in sandy sediments, can persist for more than six years.

In turn, the State Environmental Inspectorate emphasized that the ecological consequences of the war for marine ecosystems can be felt for decades.

As USM reported, to restore the Black Sea after the ecocide, it is necessary to create new protected areas.