Its color is surprising and for good reason: it is not natural.
The Corfo Lagoon, located in southern Argentina and spanning more than 10 ha, turned pink after waste from fishing companies was dumped into its waters.
“This coloring is due to a preservative, sodium sulphite.
It is an antibacterial that also contaminates the waters of the Chubut River and the waters of towns in the region.
The law orders the treatment of these liquids before their discharge, ”explains Federico Restrepo, an environmental engineer and virologist who lives and works in the country.
In the province of Chubut, where the lagoon is located, residents and local authorities are worried about this pollution. "An agreement was made with a company that transports the effluents of fishing companies to pour liquids into the Corfo lagoon," defends Juan Micheloud, the environmental control manager of the province. The reddish color does not cause damage and in a few days it will disappear. »Foul odors and a proliferation of insects were also reported by residents.
