River Trent Takes a 'Suicide Pill'

A twenty-mile portion of the River Trent has been poisoned by the release of cyanide into its waters (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/07/water-metalworks-suspected-cyanide-leak). The cyanide (suspected to be the result of illegal dumping from a steel polishing company in the area) has not only directly killed lots of fish (including an estimated 2000 Sticklebacks on one 100 yard section) but killed the bacteria that process sewage in the Strongford water treatment plant (these effects last for days until the bacteria can be re-generated). The latter effect has resulted in sewage and ammonia leaking into the river exacerbating the problems (oxygen levels are, for example, greatly reduced). There are also concerns about other animals in the area including otters and fish-eating birds. All this is likely to result from one illegal act!