On June 8, Italy’s Ministry of the Environment released a report stating that water levels in the Po River have reached their lowest point in recent years for this time of year. Due to concentrated agricultural irrigation runoff, concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and pesticides (glyphosate) have risen sharply, leading to eutrophication of the river and localized outbreaks of blue-green algae. Water quality in the Venice Lagoon downstream has deteriorated, forcing the suspension of harvesting in shellfish farming areas and increasing food safety risks.
Leave a Reply