A large dark stain was spotted off Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro this week, prompting concern from locals and environmental experts over its cause and potential impact.
A massive dark stain appeared in the ocean off Rio de Janeiro’s Barra da Tijuca beach on Wednesday, May 14, raising environmental concerns among residents, beachgoers, and researchers. The discolored water was clearly visible in aerial footage captured by Reuters drones, showing a stark contrast between the murky brown patch and the surrounding blue sea.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, the dark waters originated from the Barra and Jacarepaguá lagoon complex. The state environment institute, Inea, explained that an ebb tide - dropping from 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) to just 0.2 meters (0.65 feet) - carried organic material from the lagoons into the sea. The resulting interaction between warmer seawater and cooler lagoon water caused a change in color.
Preliminary assessments from Inea suggest that the phenomenon does not negatively affect seawater quality or pose a health risk to swimmers. The institute has collected water samples and plans to release detailed analysis results by Friday, May 16.
Despite the early reassurances, experts are pointing to deeper structural issues. Biologist Mario Moscatelli attributed the stain to long-standing urban development problems and inadequate sanitation in the region. “The sewage flows down the rivers, into the lagoon, and from the lagoon into the sea,” he said in a statement to Reuters.
While authorities continue their investigation, the incident has reignited calls for better urban planning and sewage treatment infrastructure to protect Rio’s waterways and coastal ecosystems.
A two-day official visit by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Türkiye concluded with the signing of 20 agreements aimed at expanding the stra...
Thailand has accused Cambodian forces of opening fire across the disputed frontier on Wednesday, the second reported violation since a Malaysia-broker...
At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal is not only rewriting football’s record books, he’s rewriting what’s possible. From dazzling defences with Ba...
Behind closed doors or at public summits, diplomacy quietly shapes our world. It’s more than handshakes, it’s about negotiation, persuasion, and p...
The United Nations' climate bureau have concerns that sky-high accommodation prices for this year's COP30 climate summit in Brazil could price poorer ...
Thailand has accused Cambodian forces of opening fire across the disputed frontier on Wednesday, the second reported violation since a Malaysia-brokered truce took effect at midnight on Monday.
Behind closed doors or at public summits, diplomacy quietly shapes our world. It’s more than handshakes, it’s about negotiation, persuasion, and preventing conflict. But how does diplomacy actually work, and what tools keep nations talking instead of fighting?
The United Nations' climate bureau have concerns that sky-high accommodation prices for this year's COP30 climate summit in Brazil could price poorer countries out of the negotiations, according to diplomats and a document seen by Reuters.
Adidas saw its shares drop 7.5% in early Wednesday trading after second-quarter sales came in below expectations and the company warned of an added €200 million ($231 million) cost burden from new U.S. tariffs in the second half of 2024.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
The Environmental Protection Agency has moved to erase the foundation of America’s climate regulations. On Tuesday, it unveiled a proposal to rescind the “endangerment finding,” the legal opinion that lets it curb greenhouse gas emissions.
They seem distant and frozen in time, but glaciers are melting fast, and the ripple effects are reaching every corner of the world. From rising seas to disrupted weather and water shortages, their disappearance is reshaping our shared future.
The United Nation’s climate chief says a delay in choosing the host for next year’s COP31 summit is causing problems. It's after Australia and Türkiye submitted bids in 2022 to host the high-profile conference in 2026. Sydney said it's received the most votes.
Fierce wildfires are tearing through Bulgaria, burning homes, threatening villages, and forcing people to evacuate the area, as firefighters face dangerous conditions across the country.
Firefighters in Greece are battling wildfires near Athens and on several islands as the country swelters under its third heatwave of the summer. People have evacuated from their villages as flames spread through dry terrain, fanned by strong winds and record temperatures.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment