Ecological Effects

The species Effected -Plankton, Benthos, Fish, Birds and Mammals
Plankton - The population lowered 40-80% during the spill. The mortality rate of Daphnia Magna was 100% during max cyanide concentration.
Benthos - Large mortality rate occurred among molluscs and other benthic organisms. The populations of leaches, insect fauna and crustacean fauna were found to be lower that normal. In some cases there was death of over 50% of the existing population. many of the insect populations were normal and some were even above the normal amount
Fish - Total of 1,242 tons of fish were killed. species with high sensitivity to poisoning are Zander, Zingel, Danube Ruffe, Schraetzer, Abramis species, Perch, and Silver Carp. Mostly herbivorous fish were effected. Down stream, only 138 dead fish were found. An ice cover prevented a lot of the dead fish from being discovered.
Birds and Mammals - Only a few dead birds found; White Tailed Eagle, three Black Headed Gull, two Cormorant, and three Herons. The land animals were not heavily effected because of the ice cover on the river and birds and mammals ability to sense the presence of cyanide. Some otters were killed in the spill but it is believed that they sensed the cyanide and moved to a different river nearby.

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