Recent reports indicate that an Argentina lagoon in the southern Patagonia region has turned bring pink, and this time, the reason is found to be "unnatural."
A ScienceAlert report said experts and activists blame pollution, specifically, a chemical used to preserve prawns for export, for such worrisome occurrence.
The pink color results from sodium sulfite, an anti-bacterial chemical used in fish factories, with waste being blamed for the contamination of the Chubut river that's feeding the Corfo lagoon, as well as the region's other resources, the activists contended.
For a long time now, residents have been complaining of foul odors and other environmental problems that surround the river and lagoon.
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Aerial view of a lagoon turned pink due to a chemical used to help shrimp conservation in fishing factories near Trelew, in the Patagonian province of Chubut, Argentina, on July 23, 2021.
The Pink Lagoon
According to Pablo Lada, an environmental activist, those are supposed to be in control but, unfortunately, are the ones authorizing people's poisoning.
Last week, a similar Latest News Time report said the lagoon turned bright pink and stayed in this unusual color on Sunday, explained Lada, who lives in Trelew, approximately 1,400 kilometers south of Buenos Aires, not far from the lagoon.
The coloration was caused by sodium sulfite in fish waste, which, according to law, needs to be treated before it gets dumped.
Meanwhile, the lagoon, which is not being used for recreation purposes, is receiving overspill or surplus from the Trelew industrial park and has turned the fuchsia color before. But residents of the area are unhappy with the occurrence.
Waste Dumped in the Corfo Lagoon
In the last few weeks, those residing in Rawson, neighboring Trelew, blocked roads trucks that carry processed fish waste are using through their streets to treatment plants on the borders of the city.
Commenting on this initiative of the residents, Lada said, in the area, they are getting dozens of trucks every day, and residents have gotten tired of it.
With Rawsons off-limits because of the protest, provincial officials gave factories the signal to dump their waste in the Corfo lagoon.
According to Juan Micheloud, environmental control chief for Chubut province, the reddish color does not damage and will vanish in a couple of days.
On the contrary, the planning secretary for Trelew Sebastian de la Vallina said it is not possible to lessen something that serious.
Sodium Sulfite
The National Library of Medicine describes sodium sulfite as the chemical that causes this Argentina lagoon to turn pink, as a white powder or crystal that has a reducing property. It exhibits activities such as bleaching, dechlorinating and sulfurizing.
Such an agent was sued by the food industry to help keep the food product's fresh appearance. Sodium sulfite is a component as well in various drugs, which helps keep their stability and efficacy.
Earlier Similar Occurrence
This is not the first time a lagoon has turned pink. In 2020, this site also reported the water in Lonar lake of the Buldhana district of India turned pink and has brought astonishment not just to locals but scientists and nature aficionados globally, as well.
In relation to last year's accordance, the United States Geological Survey said colors in rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water can change because of dissolved matter like tannins and suspended particles like sediments.
A tannin is a substance resulting from organic matter coming from roots, leaves, and plant remains. It could affect the color of water when it gets mixed into it. Sediments, on the other hand, are fine particles of clay broken down both by erosion and weathering processes.
A similar report is shown on No Comment TV's YouTube video below:
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