GP Builds 50M Dam to Protect Izmir Bay

[The.Greenbase@gb.greenpeace.org]

GREENPEACE BUILDS 50 METRE DAM TO PROTECT IZMIR BAY FROM TOXIC

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                   GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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GREENPEACE BUILDS 50 METRE DAM TO PROTECT IZMIR BAY FROM TOXIC
POLLUTION

IZMIR, TURKEY-- 16 May 1995 (GP)-- Greenpeace activists today
constructed a make-shift dam on the Meles river to prevent the
further industrial and human waste pollution of Izmir Bay in
Turkey.

The 50 metre long Greenpeace dam - 4 metres high - was lowered
off a road bridge this morning, by 20 activists* to stop
pollution from entering the Bay. The activists lowered the
construction down from the bridge, helped by more people on
three Greenpeace inflatable boats on the water.

More than 300 registered industries and companies discharge
toxic waste products into the Meles river.  Greenpeace suspect
other unregistered toxic waste is also discharged into the
stream.
Studies show that less than 30% of the water in the Meles is
natural. The rest is domestic sewage and industrial toxic
waste.(1)  The stream contains acutely toxic chemicals
including arsenic, cadmium, lead and organic solvents.
Discharge of human sewage has been responsible for red tides
(toxic algal blooms) in the Bay.

"Izmir Bay is dying from industrial and human pollution. We
have waited over 25 years for the Turkish Government to
deliver the anti-pollution measures which they have promised.
The marine environment can wait no longer." said Berto Hullu,
Greenpeace spokesperson in Turkey.

Next month Mediterranean countries will meet to discuss
pollution of the Mediterranean Sea at the Barcelona
Convention. Greenpeace says the Convention must act to
eliminate all discharges of toxic, persistent and
bioaccumulative substances into the
Mediterranean.

In 1990, 105,000 cubic metres of industrial pollution and over
300,000 cubic metres of domestic waste entered the Bay each
day. Figures for 1995 are likely to be even higher (2).
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
this pollution is now "reaching a critical point".
Furthermore, "the ecology of the Bay will breakdown" in the
very near future(3).

Two years ago UNEP warned that pollution in Izmir Bay would
cause  "collapse in the ecosystem" would occur by 1995 unless
anti-pollution measures were taken.(4)

The Meles river flows directly into Izmir Bay. It is the Bay's
worst pollution source, carrying half of all waste waters
which pollute the inner bay. Even though one of the many
streams caught fire some years ago, no significant clean-up or
prevention
measures have been taken.

Although pollution of Izmir Bay has been recognised as a
problem since 1960, no effective measures have yet been taken
to protect the marine environment. The Izmir Sewage Treatment
Project was started as long ago as 1969, but has yet to be
completed.

Even when completed, human waste and industrial waste will be
treated by the same process. Greenpeace considers this
inadequate as many toxic and poisonous substances will still
not be removed from the waste water before it is discharged
into Izmir Bay.

GREENPEACE DEMANDS:

*Immediate completion of the Izmir Sewage Treatment System.
*Complete separation of treatment and collection of industrial
effluents from domestic wastewater.

*Effective treatment of industrial wastes on site, with higher
standards for discharged wastewater, and elimination at source
of toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative substances.

*Ultimately, a reassessment of current industrial practices
and a move towards clean production technologies.

a&    END

For more details, phone ++90 542 231 7249
Still pictures and footage available.

* The activists are from Turkey, the UK, Australia, Israel,
Portugal and the Netherlands.

References:

(1) "Atmospheric hydrogen sulphur emissions in Meles Stream
(1991) Cigdem OZEL (D.E. Univ. Environmental Engineering).

(2) UNEP report (as above) Page 7, Table II & Page 8,
Paragraph 29.

(3) UNEP report (as above) Page 14, Paragraph 56. Full
quotation is as follows: "The environment of Izmir Bay is
unique: related damages have been accumulating for a long time
and the scientific evidence suggests that pollution levels are
reaching a critical point. This is likely to happen in the
near future and at that time damages will multiply at an
exponential rate and the ecology of the Bay will breakdown".

(4) United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action
Plan, "Costs and benefits of measures for the reduction of
Degradation of the environment from land-based sources of
pollution in coastal Areas". MAP Technical Reports Series
No.72. 1993. Page 3, Paragraph 1.