All residents were evacuated from the half-mile blast area over fears of chemical pollution in the air.

However, mudflats worldwide are under threat from predicted sea level rises, land claims for development, dredging due to shipping purposes, and chemical pollution.

The effects of the oil and chemical pollution on these species remains unknown.

Other true loaches, many of them migratory fish, have been seriously affected by habitat destruction, chemical pollution, and damming, and are considered threatened species today.

Gristmills and tanneries on the rivers of the estuary contributed significantly to the chemical pollution until the mid 20th century.