Earlier this month, wildlife officials began an investigation into the mysterious deaths of thousands of fish found floating in the Spokane River. Jule Schultz, Waterkeeper for Spokane Riverkeeper, was interviewed by the Spokesman-Review.
“We have no idea why this happened,” Schultz said, “All we know is that it appears to be a massive event.”
Local resident Tom McClellan, a former Long Lake Dam employee, first noticed the dead fish on the shore. They float on the banks and are washed downstream—as far as the eye can see—including species like perch, walleye bass and crappie. So far, there is no official news as to what caused the fish to die all at once, but I have my theories.
Today, the incident is being described as an unnatural occurrence due to the murky, foul-smelling water reported below the mouth of the Little Spokane River. In his first Facebook post about the incident, McClellan speculated that it might have involved a “mineral oil” spill from a nearby paper plant. This has happened many times throughout the year and across the country.
According to the Environmental News Network, a paper mill spill in Bogalusa, Louisiana, caused a massive fish kill in the Pearl River in 2011. The spill released high concentrations of waste into the river, causing it to absorb oxygen from the a large part of the river. This means that every breathing organism is suffocated and dies. That may be the case for the Spokane River, but if that is so, isn’t the media everything? That is, more than two weeks ago. You’d think something would come out about the environmental spill—unless they’re covering it up, which is a conspiracy theory we probably won’t get into right now.
Another possible reason behind this is the fact that many fish have died across the US due to unusually warm water temperatures caused by, again, a lack of oxygen in the water. But the reason for these temperatures is the change in acidity or salinity, which causes toxic algae blooms to take over river areas.
Toxic algae are often caused by warm water temperatures and high levels of phosphorus in the water. But, in the late winter we’ve had this year, recent water temperatures taken by the Spokane Riverkeeper have recorded temperatures averaging around 37 degrees Fahrenheit, while temperatures for harmful algae need to reach closer to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, these algae are likely caused by high concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen that grow in cold weather.
Phosphorus is a common element found in rocks in and near rivers. Nitrogen is also found in soil and plants around water. But you know what else algae feeds on? Sulphur. According to Nature.com, sulfur is an efficient element for proteins, lipids and various metabolites. This means that it can contribute to the binding of metal ions and proteins, which, in turn, are good for organisms to grow and survive, including algae. And algae are known to synthesize and store more sulfur than natural or local plants. This means that sulfur can cause algae to bloom at a faster rate, dominating terrestrial plants.
You may be wondering: what does this have to do with dead fish found in the Spokane River? Well, my inquisitive friend, do you know what are the main chemicals used to make paper? You guessed it: sulfite salts. Think about it: Even a small disaster like a small paper-mill spill can trigger a domino effect, resulting in a drop in oxygen levels and the spread of toxic algae. It’s a double whammy that could potentially spell trouble for aquatic life. And if all this is caused by the increase in temperature or minerals, why would there be an unnatural clouding in the water? Why does the waterkeeper at Spokane Riverkeeper have “no idea” how this happened? Something seems strange.
Now, I’m not outright suggesting a secret paper-mill conspiracy behind this piscine tragedy, but I’m pointing out a connection worth exploring. With no official statement yet, it wouldn’t be surprising if this incident were lost in the relentless stream of media cycles, leaving us with a non-stop stream of information.
Presley Zimmerman can be reached at [email protected]
