site.btaExperts Discuss Possible Challenges for Bulgarian Black Sea Coast after Kakhovka Dam Destruction

Former Environment Minister Borislav Sandov and Director of the Institute of Oceanology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolay Valchev discussed Wednesday in Varna the possible challenges for the Bulgarian Black Sea coast after the destruction of the wall of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine. The two told BTA that the situation should be carefully monitored by all responsible institutions without creating panic among the population and allowing for speculation. The Environment Ministry told BTA that a thorough follow-up monitoring of possible environmental damage has been guaranteed.

In the case of the identification of indicators that contain even the most minimal potential risk, the competent institutions and the public will be informed immediately. At the moment there is no evidence of pollution in the Bulgarian Black Sea water area, the Ministry said.

Institutions should make the results of sampling as public as possible. This is the only guarantee for the public to be calm, Sandov said.

Since June 2022, in connection with the war on the territory of Ukraine, the Varna Black Sea Basin Directorate and the Executive Environment Agency have been monitoring three points in the coastal sea waters - Durankulak, Shabla, and Kaliakra, the Ministry explained.

The potential risk of pollution of the marine environment due to military actions is being monitored. Officials examine the presence of petroleum products, metals, radionuclides cesium-137, and tritium. So far, no exceedances have been detected for any of the indicators tested, the Ministry said.

Valchev said that his Institute monitors the speed and direction of the current, satellite images, as well as the so-called pollution slick in the Ukraine region. The brown-green stain there is, so to speak, a collective name of all substances, the expert explained. 

There is no information on the amount of water coming from the dam that can be fed into the forecast models and there is also no data yet from the Ukrainian side on exactly what the contaminants are, Valchev added.

According to Sandov, the risks to the Bulgarian waters are not so great and do not imply danger to tourism.

Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova has already sent a letter to beach concessionaires informing them of the actions taken and calling on them to take an active stance in any situation where they deem they need assistance.