Victoria river mysteriously turns bright green

**Venom** · 01-07-2011, 12:35 AM

http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12...-bright-green/

Postmedia News December 30, 2010 – 9:03 am

VICTORIA — Horrified nature-lovers at Goldstream Provincial Park watched as the Goldstream River turned bright green late Wednesday afternoon.

The fluorescent green colouring appeared to start about 500 metres on the Victoria side of the entrance to the park and, over the course of an hour, the substance flowed down into the environmentally sensitive estuary.

By 5:30 p.m. the river, known for its dramatic salmon runs, eagles and other wildlife, was back to its normal colour.

Ministry of Environment teams were immediately sent to the area to investigate and members of Langford Fire Department collected samples for analysis.

No dead fish or animals had been found by early evening.

Earlier in the day a fountain beside Veterans Memorial Parkway in Langford also turned bright green, said Langford Fire Chief Bob Beckett.

Victoria Times Colonist

Update: Green chemical in B.C. river not toxic, study confirms

Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12...#ixzz1AKRoRVuJ

**Venom** · 01-07-2011, 12:38 AM

Postmedia News December 31, 2010 – 5:44 pm

By Judith Lavoie, Postmedia News

VICTORIA—The chemical that turned Victoria’s Goldstream River green earlier this week has been confirmed as fluorescein.

Water samples taken Wednesday from the river and from a green-spouting fountain in Veterans Memorial Park were sent to Environment Canada’s Pacific Environmental Science Centre in North Vancouver for assessment, said Dan Gilmore, provincial environment ministry spokesman.

“Test results . . . confirm the substance causing the green colour in the river and the fountain was fluorescein,” Mr. Gilmore said.

“Fluorescein is a synthetic organic compound soluble in water and alcohol. It is widely used as a fluorescent tracer for many applications. The product itself and its products of degradation are not toxic.”

Based on the flow rate of the river, the probable concentration of fluorescein and lab results, Environment Ministry staff do not believe that fish or fish habitat were harmed during this incident, Mr. Gilmore said.

The chemical is usually used to trace leaks from septic tanks and water systems and can be bought online.

Fluorescein is also used in medical diagnosis and guidelines warn it can cause reactions ranging from nausea and hives to death from anaphylactic shock.

Victoria Times Colonist

Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12...#ixzz1AKSU75hh

*Samhain* · 01-07-2011, 01:01 AM

That is a pretty gnarly sight!

A little *too* Raph · 01-07-2011, 08:05 AM

Fluorescein? Bah, sounds like a cover up to me. I'd start looking for giant dandelions right away.

Cowabunga Kiefer · 01-07-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A little *too* Raph

Fluorescein? Bah, sounds like a cover up to me. I'd start looking for giant dandelions right away.

lol. Nice!

*Luzmagica* · 01-07-2011, 12:00 PM

^ So Ooze exists!!!!....

Can someone drop in that place some turtles too and a rat????

Lynn · 01-07-2011, 07:03 PM

Funky chickens.

**Machias Banshee** · 01-07-2011, 07:50 PM

Wow. That stuff is as neon green as the wastewater down the road from us is Orange...

*BubblyShell22* · 01-09-2011, 05:08 PM

So THAT'S what's in the ooze that mutated the Turtles. I've always wondered.

01-07-2011, 12:35 AM	#1
Venom Space Knight Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,637	Victoria river mysteriously turns bright green http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12...-bright-green/ Postmedia News December 30, 2010 – 9:03 am VICTORIA — Horrified nature-lovers at Goldstream Provincial Park watched as the Goldstream River turned bright green late Wednesday afternoon. The fluorescent green colouring appeared to start about 500 metres on the Victoria side of the entrance to the park and, over the course of an hour, the substance flowed down into the environmentally sensitive estuary. By 5:30 p.m. the river, known for its dramatic salmon runs, eagles and other wildlife, was back to its normal colour. Ministry of Environment teams were immediately sent to the area to investigate and members of Langford Fire Department collected samples for analysis. No dead fish or animals had been found by early evening. Earlier in the day a fountain beside Veterans Memorial Parkway in Langford also turned bright green, said Langford Fire Chief Bob Beckett. Victoria Times Colonist Update: Green chemical in B.C. river not toxic, study confirms Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12...#ixzz1AKRoRVuJ __________________

01-07-2011, 12:38 AM	#2
Venom Space Knight Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,637	Postmedia News December 31, 2010 – 5:44 pm By Judith Lavoie, Postmedia News VICTORIA—The chemical that turned Victoria’s Goldstream River green earlier this week has been confirmed as fluorescein. Water samples taken Wednesday from the river and from a green-spouting fountain in Veterans Memorial Park were sent to Environment Canada’s Pacific Environmental Science Centre in North Vancouver for assessment, said Dan Gilmore, provincial environment ministry spokesman. “Test results . . . confirm the substance causing the green colour in the river and the fountain was fluorescein,” Mr. Gilmore said. “Fluorescein is a synthetic organic compound soluble in water and alcohol. It is widely used as a fluorescent tracer for many applications. The product itself and its products of degradation are not toxic.” Based on the flow rate of the river, the probable concentration of fluorescein and lab results, Environment Ministry staff do not believe that fish or fish habitat were harmed during this incident, Mr. Gilmore said. The chemical is usually used to trace leaks from septic tanks and water systems and can be bought online. Fluorescein is also used in medical diagnosis and guidelines warn it can cause reactions ranging from nausea and hives to death from anaphylactic shock. Victoria Times Colonist Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12...#ixzz1AKSU75hh __________________

01-07-2011, 08:05 AM	#4
A little too Raph Stone Warrior Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 561	Fluorescein? Bah, sounds like a cover up to me. I'd start looking for giant dandelions right away. __________________ - "You're a claustrophobic" - "You want a fist in the mouth? I've never even looked at another guy"

01-07-2011, 12:00 PM	#6
Luzmagica A Magic Light Dudette! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Spain. Posts: 3,878	^ So Ooze exists!!!!.... Can someone drop in that place some turtles too and a rat???? __________________

01-09-2011, 05:08 PM	#9
BubblyShell22 Leo-holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 16,912	So THAT'S what's in the ooze that mutated the Turtles. I've always wondered. __________________ "A warrior who never fails, never learns."-The Ancient One. "Embrace your inner a**holiness."-Mr. Anderson.

01-07-2011, 01:01 AM	#3
Samhain Dare To Be Stupid! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 1313 Mockingbird Lane Posts: 4,752	That is a pretty gnarly sight!

01-07-2011, 07:03 PM	#7
Lynn Hench Mutant Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 269	Funky chickens.

01-07-2011, 07:50 PM	#8
Machias Banshee Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 17,163	Wow. That stuff is as neon green as the wastewater down the road from us is Orange...