P r y m D e t e c t

The Oder River


is Poland’s second-longest river and a major waterway in Central Europe.


Home to a diverse aquatic ecosystem, including many endangered species, the Oder plays a crucial role in the region's biodiversity. It sustains lush forests, floodplains, and meadows, and serves as a key ecological corridor.

But in the summer of 2022, disaster struck.


A mass mortality event occurred in the Oder River resulting in significant wildlife casualties.

Over

0 kilograms

of dead fish washed up on the Oder’s shore.

Amid the chaos, the causes of the disaster were unclear. Theories ranged from mercury poisoning and drought to low oxygen levels due to summer heat. Yet, as wildlife continued to die, the problem remained unsolved.

At last, the true cause of the disaster was uncovered: an algae species called Prymnesium parvum, or the "Golden Algae".

Under certain conditions, this species produces toxins, known as prymnesins, which are deadly to animals with gills, like fish and clams.

As a student team passionate about nature and its conservation, we couldn't just stand by.

We had to act.

Together, let’s protect and preserve the beautiful aquatic ecosystems in Poland and beyond.

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