China News Network, May 5 According to the American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on the 31st, recently, some sections of the Grand Canal in Italy turned fluorescent green, causing attention from the outside world. Venetian authorities investigated and found that the non-toxic fluorescein was poured into the river to test the operation of the sewage system, causing it to take on this strange color when exposed to sunlight.
Image source: Screenshot of the ABC report
Images circulating on social media showed the famous canal lined with restaurants and onlookers, with fluorescent green water. Despite the unusual color of the river, water taxis and gondolas seem to be operating as usual.
The Venetian authorities did not disclose the source of fluorescein. Further tests are expected this week, officials said.
According to CBS, the Veneto Regional Environmental Prevention and Protection Agency (ARPAV), the analysis showed "fluorescein in the samples taken" and no toxic elements were found in the river samples.
Local environmental authorities in Venice use non-toxic fluorescein to monitor the direction of water flow to confirm that the sewage system is functioning properly and to identify potential malfunctions or damage.
Venetian investigators initially suspected that the canal's discoloration might have been the work of environmental activists.
Because this is not the first time that Venice's Grand Canal has turned green. In 1968, Argentine artist Nicolas Garcia Uriburu dyed the Grand Canal water green with fluorescent dyes during the 34th Venice Biennale, hoping to promote ecological awareness.