Photos: Venice's Grand Canal turns bright green due to fluorescein
Police initially speculated substance could be a stunt by environmentalists
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Rome: The spectacular transformation of a stretch of Venice's Grand Canal to fluorescent green was due to fluorescein, a non-toxic substance used for testing wastewater networks, local authorities said.
AP
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Residents noticed a stretch of Venice's Grand Canal turned bright green Sunday, prompting police to investigate amid speculation it could be a stunt by environmentalists.
AP
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But analysis showed "the presence of fluorescein in samples taken", said the the Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection of Veneto (Arpav).
AP
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The results "have not shown the presence of toxic elements in the samples analysed", the statement said, without specifying the origin of the substance.
AP
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The change in colour noticed by residents raised eyebrows, with police looking into whether Sunday's development could be a protest by climate change activists, according to local daily La Nuova Venezia.
AP
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It is not the first time the Grand Canal has turned green.
AP
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In 1968, Argentine artist Nicolas Garcia Uriburu dyed the waters of Venice's Grand Canal green with a fluorescent dye during the 34th Venice Biennale in a stunt to promote ecological awareness.
AFP
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Fluorescent green waters below the Rialto Bridge in Venice's Grand Canal.
AFP
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