Hazardous Waste Leakage in Norilsk, Russia

Hazardous Waste Leakage in Norilsk, Russia

The city of Norilsk in the Krasnoyarsk region of northern Russia experienced a major environmental disaster in May 2020 when approximately 21,000 tons of diesel fuel spilled from the CHPP-3 power plant owned by Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel). The fuel contaminated the nearby Amber and Dardikan rivers, eventually reaching the Arctic Ocean through Lake Pyashino. This accident is considered the worst environmental disaster ever recorded in the Arctic.

Cause and Effects of the Accident
The main cause of the fuel spill is believed to be the settling of the foundations of the power plant's storage tanks due to thawing permafrost. This thawing is attributed to the rise in average temperatures in the Arctic region due to climate change (an increase of approximately 2.5°C over the past 30 years), and the aging of the local infrastructure in general. Diesel fuel contains toxic substances, and the impact on the ecosystem is serious. In particular, it was reported that the concentration of petroleum constituents in the water in the Dardican River exceeded the legal limit by 2,000 times.

Company Response and Costs
Norilsk Nickel began cleanup operations immediately after the accident, but approximately 18,000 tons of fuel became uncollectable, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the local environment. The Russian government declared a state of emergency and fined the company approximately 220 billion yen for cleanup and restoration costs. The company has mobilized approximately 2,000 people to collect the fuel by 2021, but has yet to fully restore the site.

Impact on Local Residents and Ecosystems
In the contaminated area, the deteriorating water quality has devastated the fishing industry, and health hazards have been reported among residents. The Krasnoyarsk regional government has established a special fund to assist the residents. In addition, biodiversity around Lake Pyashino and the Amber River has been significantly damaged, with particularly serious effects on fish and waterfowl ecosystems.

International Debate and Implications for Environmental Policy
The accident at Norilsk highlighted the impact of climate change on infrastructure safety and sparked debate in Russia and abroad. Greenpeace, an international environmental NGO, has called for stricter regulations on industrial activities in the Arctic. Norilsk Nickel also declared the introduction of new environmental standards after the accident and announced plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2025.