Finland Times

The final report from the Southwest Finland ELY Centre said the consequences of the leak caused death to over 4.5 million mussels.

The duck mussels suffered the highest death rate, which was estimated at slightly over 60 per cent.

In July last year, 66 tonnes of nickel passed through the river after leakage from the Norilsk Nickel plant in Harjavalta.

According to the plant’s environmental permit, up to 550 kilograms of nickel emission may be discharged in water annually.

Measurements taken after the leak revealed nickel concentration at a maximum of 8,800 micrograms per litre while the normal level is 20 micrograms.

According to the ELY Centre, nickel concentrations in the river water fell by just over a week after the damage.

The nickel emission, however, did not directly cause the death of fish.

The follow-up of the metal concentration levels will continue this year. The damage investigation by the police is still ongoing.