Dolphins are dying a lot in the Black Sea because of the Russian invasion

Black Sea pollution from Russia’s attack on Ukraine could have long-term consequences for ecosystems in the region. Experts have already noted widespread deaths of dolphins and some species of marine fish. About this on Friday, May 13, writes NBC News.

“More than 100 dolphins have washed up off the coast of Turkey since February,” said Ugur Ozsandykci, a leading marine life researcher at Sinop University.

According to him, the main cause of the widespread death of sea -dwelling creatures is likely noise pollution from warships in the north.

“Low-frequency sonar from warships and submarines directly interferes with the echolocation of dolphins. Being unable to navigate, dolphins cannot identify prey and therefore can starve. They can also get confused and go crazy. -panic, accidentally swimming on rocks or on the shore, “he explained.

A full investigation into the causes and extent of the dolphin’s recent deaths could take months or years, Ozsandiqci said, as much of the coast is inaccessible to researchers because of the war.

This situation, experts say, could create a crisis in the region’s biodiversity.

“Noise pollution also affects many fish populations, forcing them to move far away. It disrupts the local ecosystem, as well as the sudden death of dolphins at the top of the Black Sea food chain. Their deaths are could threaten the entire subpopulation, and it could be many years before they can renew the population, ”warns the specialist.

According to the US Naval Institute (USNI), at the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, two pens for fighting dolphins were moved to the bay of occupied Sevastopol.