May 14th 2024.
Reports have been coming in that about 700 fish have been found dead on the banks of the Collie River in Western Australia, causing great concern among local residents. The fish were discovered along the Lower Collie River, stretching from the Australind Bypass bridge to the Eaton Drive bridge in the state's south-west. According to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), these fish likely met their tragic fate due to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the river. In an official statement, the DWER explained that following recent, heavy rainfall, the levels of dissolved oxygen have rapidly decreased, leading to this unfortunate incident.
The department's staff has been working diligently to collect samples from the affected area and have put up warning signs to advise the public to avoid the site as a precaution. The majority of the fish that have been found dead are black bream and mullet, which are both common species in the Collie River. The DWER further elaborated that the intense rainfall caused organic matter and sediment to be stirred up in the river, which then rises to the surface. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in the oxygen content, ultimately causing the fish to suffocate.
According to the department, this is the first significant rainfall in the area since October 2023. They also noted that this particular part of the river system is prone to sudden changes in water quality, which can be incredibly harmful to the ecosystem. The DWER explained that a layer of trapped saltwater near the bottom of the river can become deoxygenated over time, and if mixed suddenly, it can pose a significant risk to the entire river system. This highlights the importance of carefully monitoring the water quality in the Collie River and taking necessary precautions to prevent such events from happening in the future.
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