Striking environmental pollution report from the Chamber of Environmental Engineers

In the report in question, the causes of pollution, the current situation, and proposed solutions were addressed under the headings of 'Monitoring Studies, Inspection of Pollutant Sources, Environmental Infrastructure Facilities, Ensuring Circulation, Coordination, and Financing'.

The report released to the public by the Chamber of Environmental Engineers included the following statements:

'It is known that the pollution problem in the bay has come to the agenda in certain periods since the 1960s. It is known that there has been illegal wastewater discharge into the bay since those years, and a significant improvement was observed in the bay in the 2000s with the commissioning of urban wastewater treatment plants and other urban infrastructure works. However, in recent years, odor complaints have increased, and mass fish deaths have begun to occur due to excessive algae growth.

Normal seawater contains plankton with a certain population. Along with temperature, the excess of substances such as nitrogen and phosphorus in seawater causes algae formation. This situation can lead to fish deaths by causing a decrease in oxygen levels along with changes in the color of the seawater. However, it should not be forgotten that the root cause of this situation may be organic pollution, not climate change or nutrient excess. Pollution increasing as a result of a sudden waste or chemical discharge can cause fish deaths due to the toxic effect it creates, or it can be caused by factors such as the decrease in oxygen levels due to pollution increasing with discharges spread over time, temperature, etc.

The process regarding the fish deaths that occurred in August is also being closely followed by our Branch, and work is being carried out on the causes of the problem and proposed solutions. Information has been requested from the relevant institutions within the scope of the Law on the Right to Information in order to share the studies carried out in the İzmir Bay and the analysis results of the samples taken. Participation was provided on behalf of our Chamber in the Coordination Board Meeting held on 05.09.2024. It is known that the fish deaths occurred due to excessive algae growth in the bay due to nutrient excess and the decrease in dissolved oxygen levels. The main reason for nutrient excess is, in summary, 'pollution'. Insufficiently treated domestic and industrial wastewater, direct discharges, port and shipyard activities, and pollutants carried by streams and canals are significant pollutant sources. The shallow structure of the bay, the current regime, and the increase in seawater temperature are factors that increase the effect of pollutants.

Since it includes components such as monitoring water quality, identifying pollutant sources, control and inspection, and planning and operating environmental infrastructure facilities, it is a process directly related to the profession of environmental engineering.

In the recent process, the İzmir Bay Pollution Action Plan Proposal Report, which includes our recommendations regarding the work that needs to be done to improve the water quality in the İzmir Bay as a result of the information shared with the public by the relevant institutions and our branch's observations and studies, has been shared with our Chamber Headquarters, the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, and the İZSU General Directorate. The report in question is attached.'

News Source: 12punto