Lake In Argentina Turns Bright Pink Due To Pollution

Environmentalists insist that such waste must be treated and treated before dumping. And locals say that, despite the exotic appearance, the waters of the lagoon emit an unpleasant odor and collect hordes of flies. "Those who should be in control are the ones who authorize the poisoning of people," environmental activist Pablo Lada told AFP, blaming the government for the mess.

Lada, who lives in the city of Trelew, near the lagoon said that The lagoon turned pink last week and remained an abnormal color on Sunday. "We get dozens of trucks daily, the residents are getting tired of it," said Lada. Environmental engineer and virologist Federico Restrepo told AFP the coloration was due to sodium sulfite in fish waste, which by law, should be treated before being dumped.

Fish factories have previously been blamed for polluting local water bodies: the Chubut River, which feeds the Corfo lagoon, and other water sources in the region. Residents have long complained of odors and other environmental problems. Plants that process fish for export, mainly prawns and hake, generate thousands of jobs for Chubut province, home to some 600,000 people.

It is not the first time that this color has appeared in the lagoon, the historic wastewater disposal site of the Trelew industrial park, but the problem has worsened in recent weeks as a result of an environmental conflict in the nearby town of Rawson, capital of the province of Chubut. Previously, waste was dumped near the town of Rawson, however, locals rebelled, blocked the road with trucks and now the waste is dumped near the city of Trelew.