Venice canal has turned green, and no one knows why
The Italian city of Venice recently witnessed an unprecedented incident as locals woke up to a patch in one of its water canals turning fluorescent green. Various theories have emerged thereafter as to what may have led to this color change, but the exact cause remains unknown as an investigation is still on. Here's the current state of knowledge regarding this captivating event.
Unusual color of patch 1st spotted on Sunday
Venetians first spotted the changed color in the Grand Canal at around 9:30am on Sunday (local time). "This morning a patch of phosphorescent green liquid appeared in the Grand Canal of Venice, reported by some residents near the Rialto Bridge. The prefect has called an urgent meeting with the police to investigate the origin of the liquid," tweeted Veneto regional president Luca Zaia.
Check out Veneto regional president's tweet
Water samples collected for investigation
Once the news broke out, the authorities concerned wasted no time in collecting a few samples of the patch for investigation. They even checked the CCTV cameras around the area and interrogated local boat drivers and gondolier pilots if they saw something suspicious happening in the water. Moreover, an emergency meeting has been called to discuss this matter in detail.
Multiple assumptions, theories coming into limelight
As the exact reason behind the water turning green isn't out yet, Venetians have several theories to believe in for the time being. While some say that it could be a result of dye, others believe it has been done on purpose by environmental activists as an act of protest. However, Maurizio Vesco of the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection has something to say.
Patch suggests dye powder, not casually released: Vesco
During an interaction with the Italian daily La Repubblica, Vesco revealed that, so far, the early analysis suggests that the fluorescent green color in the Grand Canal is the result of dye powder. "I find it hard to believe that it was an incident... and that a kilo of fluorescein was casually released into the canal," he said.
Netizens reminisce about artist Uriburu's stunt of dyeing canals green
After reports on the Grand Canal's color change went viral, netizens on social media platforms connected the incident to the one that happened in 1968. Users shared how Argentine artist Nicolás García Uriburu once dyed the Grand Canal waters green during the annual Venice Biennale to raise awareness about environmental problems. The Volgalonga regatta (a rowing event) is taking place this weekend in Venice.
Canals dried up; experienced low tides in February this year
Back in February, Venice experienced another unusual sight when the canals around the city experienced low tides. Its extent was so much that water taxis, ambulances, and gondolas found it difficult to commute from one place to another. Later, many canals even dried up, causing a drought-like situation in the city. Reasons spanned from lack of rain and full moon causing sea currents.
