The Seine becomes a habitat: mussel species show progress through renovation!

The Seine becomes a habitat: mussel species show progress through renovation!

In a stunning turning point for the Seine in Paris, the discovery of endangered mussel species is a strong sign of improving water quality in this historic river. That's what she reported Small newspaper, that the rhombic river mussel, the stream mussel and the oblate pond mussel were discovered during a study into the effects of urban lighting on biodiversity. All three species are on the endangered species list. These newfound signs of life are the result of major investments in water treatment made in the run-up to last summer's Olympic Games in Paris. An incredible 1.4 billion euros went into sewage treatment plants and wastewater systems to improve water quality.

Challenges remain

But despite the positive news, the question of water quality remains pressing. While the mussels act as bioindicators, recent testing, as documented in the results of the August 5 triathlon, shows that water quality does not consistently meet required standards. Loud Fluidion A sample from the Alexandre III Bridge returned worrying levels of 1338 E.coli/100 mL, which is above the acceptable limit. This suggests that despite advances in water quality, the risk of contamination by bacteria and other pollutants remains, which is particularly problematic for swimming competitions.

These challenges highlight the ongoing difficulties associated with maintaining water quality in the river. The “gray zone” of water quality, as it is called, suggests that there remain unclear risks that could affect both the health of swimmers and the Seine ecosystem. Careful monitoring and further measures are necessary to make the Seine a safe and vibrant body of water for flora and fauna as well as for recreational activities.