Mysterious Green Glow in Venice's Grand Canal Explained


Key Highlights :

1. A chemical used for water testing was to blame for the green glow in parts of the Grand Canal.
2. Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, does not have a traditional sewage system, and everything that ends up in sinks or toilets flows to the city's network of canals.
3. Experts don't think the incident was accidental; whereas a teaspoon is capable of coloring 20 liters of water, a much larger dosage was found in the Grand Canal.
4. An avenue explored by local police is that it was a stunt by environmental activists, an idea with historical precedent - in 1968, during Venice's Biennale art expo, Argentine artist Nicolas Uriburu turned the canal water green to promote ecological awareness.




     The people of Venice were perplexed when the waters of the Grand Canal glowed bright green recently. After a thorough investigation, the cause of the strange phenomenon was determined to be fluorescein, a chemical used for water testing.

     The green glow in the Grand Canal lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time Sunday. Fluorescein, which is readily available for purchase online, is capable of coloring 20 liters of water with just a teaspoon. However, the amount of fluorescein found in the Grand Canal was much larger, leading experts to conclude that the incident was not accidental.

     The incident has sparked speculation that it was a stunt by environmental activists, an idea with historical precedent. Back in 1968, during Venice’s Biennale art expo, Argentine artist Nicolas Uriburu turned the canal water green to promote ecological awareness.

     Venice does not have a traditional sewage system, and everything that ends up in sinks or toilets flows to the city’s network of canals. The incident has highlighted the need for improved water quality in Venice, as well as the need for better environmental practices.

     The people of Venice are now hoping that this strange occurrence serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the city’s waterways. The green glow in the Grand Canal may have been mysterious, but it was also a reminder of the need to protect the city’s precious waterways.



Continue Reading at Source : washingtontimes