In Kyiv, the Lybid River has turned bright green
In Kyiv, the water in the Lybid River has turned bright green. Photos of this unusual phenomenon are being widely shared on social media.
According to one theory, the cause may be the use of fluorescein—a safe food coloring that specialists at Kyivteploenergo use to detect leaks in heating networks.
At the same time, according to local media reports, the green color of the water may also be the result of an algal bloom in the river caused by the growth of cyanobacteria. This is facilitated by high water temperatures, sunny weather, and a slow current.
This is not the first time the Lybid has changed color. In 2021, the river turned yellow, after which experts detected elevated levels of ammonium ions, phenols, and ammonia in the water.
There is currently no official explanation for the change in water color.
Extremely low water levels are negatively affecting navigation on several major German rivers, including the Rhine, Elbe, and Danube. At present, inland waterway vessels can carry less cargo than they would at higher water levels, which significantly increases transportation costs in supply chains.
The record-breaking heat wave that swept across western Europe in late June caused more than 10,000 deaths. According to official data, the highest number of deaths was recorded in the countries most affected by the extremely high temperatures.
