The collapse of Ukraine’s Kakhovka Dam has submerged the front line of the war under water. New findings suggest that the long-term consequences could be equally severe. Researchers claim that the dam collapse triggered the “time bomb.” Over 90,000 tons of toxic heavy metals carried by floodwaters are posing a threat to human and animal life.

The collapse of Ukraine’s Kakhovka Dam in June 2023 exposed the lake bed sediments containing over 90,000 tons of toxic heavy metals, setting in motion flows that researchers have dubbed as a toxic “time bomb.” The explosion at the dam, captured in the early stages of Ukraine’s full-scale invasion, submerged Ukrainian and Russian-controlled settlements along the Dnieper River, leading to mass evacuations.

FLOODWATERS CARRIED MINES The flow of water from one of Europe’s largest reservoirs submerged the local flora and fauna, disrupting fragile ecosystems along the riverbanks. Rising water levels concealed minefields and scattered explosives to new locations. The destruction of a dam during wartime constitutes a violation of the Geneva Conventions. Western intelligence assessments and several independent investigations pointed to Russian involvement. ONGOING THREAT Some Ukrainians returned to their flooded homes as the water receded. However, according to a study published in Science magazine, there remains an ongoing threat. As sediments erode from the lake bed, the risk of dragging tens of thousands of toxic heavy metals into water sources through rain and seasonal floods jeopardizes the population. HEAVY METALS SPREAD Researchers observed elevated concentrations of waste materials, including zinc, copper, arsenic, cobalt, and petroleum products along the river months after the flooding. Prolonged exposure to undecomposed heavy metals can damage the brain, liver, immune system, and heart, leading to congenital disorders. ABSORBED BY VEGETATION With the water now receded, there is an increased risk of pollutants being absorbed by vegetation and transmitted through the local food chain. Scientists propose a large-scale construction effort to prevent the spread of heavy metals. However, commencing these efforts safely is impossible until the war comes to an end as the area remains under Russian control.