Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of bottom sludge have been dumped in Köge Bay in connection with the construction of the artificial peninsula Lynetteholm.

Despite criticism from the Swedish government, among others, the Danish authorities believe that the dumping does not harm the marine environment in Köge Bay.

They refer to an environmental impact statement where it has been concluded that the dumping "will result in a negligible impact on the watercourses".

DR now reveals that the conclusion of the environmental assessment is based on a 40-year-old study that examined the environmental impact of dredging of canals in American estuaries.

Massive criticism from Danish experts

According to several experts in Denmark, several of the conclusions in the environmental impact report cannot be applied to the situation in Köge Bay.

- It is approaching speculation, says Karen Timmermann who is a professor of coastal ecology at DTU Aqua in Denmark.

Professors Jacob Carstensen and Stiig Markager from the University of Aarhus also reject the use of the American report from the 1980s in an environmental report on Köge Bay.

- The assumptions in the report do not hold.

This is a misinterpretation of the American study, says Jacob Carstensen.

Toxic substances in the sludge

The sludge used to build Lynetteholm contains, among other things, large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus.

The experts are concerned that the discharge will lead to a number of consequences for the marine environment, including algal blooms.

- You create a negative spiral.

Conditions at the bottom are getting worse and worse for eelgrass and fish.

You generally get a poorer marine environment, says Stiig Markager.

The experts agree that further environmental impact assessments need to be carried out in connection with the construction of the Lynetteholm peninsula.

- I have a hard time seeing that you can make a valuation based on the material I have seen, says Karen Timmermann.