Rio Tinto: Confirmation – Lake TURNED RED from „blooming“ algae

The Rio Tinto company, which plans to open a lithium mine near Loznica, said the Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) report confirmed its earlier position that the change in water colour in the pond (lake) in Gornje Nedeljice in the municipality of Slatina had nothing to do with any activities on the location they are exploring, but is a consequence of the „blooming“ of algae.

„The SEPE report is a proof that change of the colour of water in the lake in the municipality of Slatina has nothing to do with any Rio Tinto activities, but is a consequence of the ‘blooming’ of algae, therefore, the statements of individuals reported in the media about the company as the cause of the change in water are incorrect „, according to a communique of the mining company.

It is added that the change in the colour of the water occurred, as the SEPA report showed, due to the presence of the pigment astaxanthin from the group of carotenoids, and its massive development colours the water red.

SEPA, as it is stated, on August 9 conducted an unexpected sampling and testing of water quality from the pond, from two localities, closer and further from the local road, both two meters away from the shore and 40 centimetres below the water surface, and performed a physico-chemical, chemical and biological analyses.

The Agency’s report published on its website, as stated by Rio Tinto, states that during the sampling and processing of the samples, high water temperature was found, which is a consequence of high external temperatures over a longer period of time.

The examined water location is surrounded by agricultural arable land, with corn planted, and these areas are treated with manure and artificial fertilizers (nitrogen or phosphorus).

During rainy periods (spring, fall and winter) the soil is washed away and in this way nutrients from the soil reach watercourses, lakes and ponds and the results of the analyses show that lake water contains nutrients and total phosphorus that serve as a substrate, i.e. food for algae development.

Izvor: Beta

Foto: Screenshot