Lebanon Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment - UNEP

WATER RESOURCEStoxicants, UNEP’s qualitative assessment of theoverall risk of conflict-related pollution to surfacewaters is relatively low. However, pollution loadsmay have a potentially significant impact on waterchemistry in certain locations. The examination ofconflict-related pollution was further constrainedby limited historical water quality data for surfacewaters. In view of the difficulty of estimatingpollution loads from the extensive distributionof targeted sites and the high seasonal variabilityin water flows, a more detailed assessment wouldrequire follow-up temporal sampling which tookthe precipitation regime into account.UNEP identified two point sources of surfacewater pollution.Aquaculture farmsThe first was caused by the shelling and destructionof aquaculture farms along the Al-Assi River nearHermel, close to the Syrian border in the northernBeqaa. Sixty fisheries were reported to have beendestroyed or damaged during the conflict. Basedon preliminary reconnaissance information, UNEPvisited two of the worst affected sites – the BaytTashim and Al-Maalaka fish farms – which wereamong the leading trout cultivating operationsin the country. At least one of the farms had afish feed processing unit. Both sites were totallydestroyed and lay abandoned at the time of themission. Photographic documentation examinedby UNEP indicated that the strike had caused amassive fish kill estimated at 300 tons. While mostof the dead fish was burnt, substantial amounts ofdecomposing fish were still visible on one of thefarms. UNEP found the principle contaminantsource to be the fish feed, chemical disinfectantsand antibiotics used in the operation of the fishfarm. Indeed, substantial amounts of spoilt fishfeed, which could be a source of ammonia, nitrite,nitrate and phosphate pollution, were seen in andaround the fish tanks at Al-Maalaka.Analysis of samples from the Al-Assi Riverdetected pH values marginally below normalnatural limits (6.5-7.5). Upstream Al-Maalakaregistered pH 5.9 and downstream Bayt Tashimhad pH 6.3. A sample from stagnant water ina damaged fish tank had a slightly lower pH5.82. While these relatively low levels wereindicative of the presence of a pollutant andrepresented a stressor to aquatic life, the pH wasnevertheless above levels that would lead to fishand macroinvertebrate mortality.The high velocity flows of the Asi River have helped dilute pollution from the destroyed aquaculture farms• United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme •123