1 of 8
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.
Image Credit: AP
2 of 8
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.
Image Credit: AP
3 of 8
But analysis showed "the presence of fluorescein in samples taken", said the the Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection of Veneto (Arpav).
Image Credit: AP
4 of 8
The results "have not shown the presence of toxic elements in the samples analysed", the statement said, without specifying the origin of the substance.
Image Credit: AP
5 of 8
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.
Image Credit: AP
6 of 8
It is not the first time the Grand Canal has turned green.
Image Credit: AP
7 of 8
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.
Image Credit: AFP
8 of 8
Fluorescent green waters below the Rialto Bridge in Venice's Grand Canal.
Image Credit: AFP