​In an interview with HotNews.ro, the director of the Institute of Green Economy of Ukraine and representative of the National Institute of Strategic Studies in Kyiv, Vyacheslav Potapenko, told how toxic substances could get into the Black Sea as a result of the explosion of the dam from Novaya Kakhovka.

The area of ​​destruction due to the explosion of the Nova Kakhovka dam in the Kherson region is comparable to the territory of the whole of Lithuania. At the same time, in terms of consequences for the environment, the event can be qualified as “the biggest man-made disaster of recent decades.”

Vyacheslav Potapenko, director of the Institute of Green Economy of Ukraine, representative of the National Institute of Strategic Studies in Kyiv, believes so.

In an interview with HotNews.ro, the expert also explained what the consequences could be for Romania.

Why can the breach of the dam in the city of Nova Kakhovka be considered the “biggest environmental disaster” of recent decades?

Vyacheslav Potapenko: Three regions were affected. The affected area can be compared with Lithuania, the affected area is so large.

Before the start of hostilities in 2022, more than four million people lived in this territory. Half of the people were left without water, others had their houses flooded. Almost all industrial enterprises on the banks of the Dnieper were liquidated. Even in the case of the Chernobyl disaster, the affected area was much smaller.

“Most likely, part of the population will have to leave these territories”

Vyacheslav Potapenko, director of the Institute of Green Economy in Ukraine. PHOTO: Personal archive

What exactly will be the consequences of this explosion?

The Kakhov reservoir is the largest in the Dnieper region and in Ukraine in general. It is as big as the sea. The total volume is 18 cubic kilometers, the average depth is 8.5 meters, and the maximum reaches 24 meters.

It was not built for the production of electricity, although this also happens there, but for water supply, primarily, to industrial enterprises of the Dnipropetrovsk region.

There were also two channels for irrigating the fields in the northern part of the Crimea, as well as the left part of the peninsula, which is now temporarily occupied by Russia.

After the destruction, a huge wave of water broke out on the Dnieper, which flooded the plain of the city of Kherson, especially on the left side. It is clear that ecosystems are destroyed, people may die. If we talk about the ecological consequences, then this water enters the harbor, and then – into the Black Sea.

At the entrance to the Black Sea, there is a nature reserve of international level, where several species of migratory birds are found. It is obvious that everything is destroyed. And it is not clear when these ecosystems can be fully restored.

But this is far from the worst thing. Among the other consequences is a decrease in the level of groundwater, several settlements will remain without the main source of drinking water. More fish and other life in that aquarium will die and decay. Because of this, there is a risk of diseases and epidemiological danger in the summer.

Trees, fields – everything will dry up, thus the ecosystem will completely change. Desertification will begin and any agricultural activity will cease. The microclimate will also change. Most likely, part of the population will have to leave these territories.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is located nearby. Are there safety risks and the danger of possible breakdown?

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is located right on the shore of the Kakhovsky Reservoir. This is where the problem of reactor cooling arises. Apparently, there are some water reserves. Aqueducts can still be built, through which water will be pumped from the Dnipro, this part is controlled by Russian troops.

As far as I understand, the Russians do not allow Ukrainian specialists there, as well as representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This could potentially cause this plant to fail. However, we hope that this will not be allowed.

How long can these water reserves last?

Since international specialists are not allowed there, it is not exactly clear. But, according to some data, water reserves may be enough to cool the reactors for a few weeks at most.

“As for ecosystems, they cannot be restored”

How quickly, by ecological standards, will the population be able to return to the affected areas, and is it possible at all?

There are two sections: downstream and upstream. The bottom is destroyed and the top is dry, so they are two different problems.

Where everything is destroyed, the problem is that the territory is constantly under artillery fire from Russian troops. People do not live now for this very reason. There is shelling, including rockets, at a distance of 20 kilometers along the Dnipro.

The elimination of environmental consequences will depend on how safe this area will be, that is, whether it will not be bombed, as well as on financial sources. I think that if it is safe there and there is enough money, then in a year everything can be restored.

At the top, where there is no water, the situation is different. I think that if they don’t build an aqueduct there, people will leave.

As for ecosystems, it will no longer be possible to restore them to the state in which they were. Moreover, experts say that even this dam will not be restored, but only a new one will be built. The dam, which is now destroyed, was built for ten years, but it happened 70 years ago, now there are other technical possibilities.

But the question arises as to how reasonable this is, because colossal sums, billions of dollars, and several years of work are required.

Could the effects of this explosion also affect other regions, including neighboring countries such as Romania?

If we talk about ecosystems, then of the three nature reserves in Ukraine, one near the Danube, near Romania, the other – in the Carpathians, also near Romania, the third, which is located here, has been destroyed. It will never be possible to return it to its original state.

The Dnipro River originates in the Russian Federation, passes through Belarus, and then reaches Ukraine. The Smolensk NPP (RF – no) is located on the Dnieper, but much higher. Industrial enterprises of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are also located along the river.

Obviously, there are some filters, but it is also clear that some poisonous substances, residues of household chemicals get into the river. All this is deposited on the bottom of the river for almost 70 years, their concentration can be quite high.

In addition, after the accident at the Chernobyl NPP, a lot of radioactive waste got into the Dnipro and was stored there. Part of these deposits will end up in the Black Sea. I believe that research will be done on this matter. If an accident occurs at the Zaporizhzhia power plant, then yes, a certain amount of harmful substances will be transferred.

Currently, there is no direct danger for Romania, as the distance is long, i.e. more than 300 kilometers.

• Read also: PHOTO Images of the drama of some people who were already affected by the war / The destruction of the Novaya Kakhovka dam has currently flooded their houses