Anja Murray: Rivers running out of air

Oxygen is a vital element of healthy waters — by overloading waterways with nutrients, aquatic animals are struggling to breathe

After a decade of steady decline in water quality, an EPA report reveals there have been no significant improvements in Irish rivers, lakes and estuarine waters in 2023. Among the rivers found to have deteriorated further in 2023 are the Nore, Suir, Barrow, Shannon, Lee, Laune, and the Feale. Picture: Larry Cummins

Perched by the riverbank, surrounded by the sounds of warblers singing and river water flowing, being by the water’s edge always has a way of drawing us into presence. Tall willow and alder trees growing near the bank filter the sunlight through their leafy canopies. Low hanging branches offer places for kingfisher to perc06+h and watch over the water, ready to dive in and return with a fish to gobble.

Among the tall reeds by the bank are emerald green and metallic blue demoiselle damselflies, looking around through enormous eyes that are engineered to give them almost 360° vision. Without moving their head, these shimmering beauties can see everywhere except directly behind them.