The role of extreme environmental factors in mass fish mortality: a case study of reservoirs in Belarus

Abstract

The article examines the cases of mass death of fish in the reservoirs of Belarus, occurring without an obvious reason. Possible abiotic and biotic factors are analyzed, including oxygen deficiency, the “blooming” of water by blue-green algae, parasitic and infectious diseases, as well as the hydrochemical characteristics of the aquatic environment. The need for comprehensive and long-term monitoring is emphasized in order to identify the true causes of death and develop effective measures to reduce the negative impact on the ichthyofauna. Based on the collected data, an approach is proposed for assessing and minimizing environmental risks for fish populations.