The mystery of why Venice Grand Canal turned green has been solved... somewhat

Venetian authorities have solved the mystery behind the fluorescent green colour that was observed at a stretch of the Grand Canal. However, they haven't found who was behind the act. 

Turns out, the colour was due to a substance called fluorescein, a non-toxic chemical that is used to study wastewater networks and how the water is flowing.   

🟢🟢🟢 Stamattina nel #CanalGrande di #Venezia è apparsa una chiazza di liquido verde fosforescente, segnalata da alcuni residenti all’altezza del Ponte di Rialto.
Il prefetto ha convocato una riunione urgente con le forze di polizia per approfondire l’origine del liquido. pic.twitter.com/te0JVCfodQ

— Luca Zaia (@zaiapresidente) May 28, 2023

Recap:

• On May 28, Venetian authorities were notified of a mysterious neon-green colour that was spreading through one part of the Grand Canal.
• Authorities took water samples and interviewed local boat drivers and gondolier pilots to find out who was behind the act. 
• Veneto regional president Luca Zaia was quick to blame environmental activists and groups for colouring the patch of canal green to raise awareness on environmental issues. 

#28maggio #Venezia, Canal Grande colorato di verde e quello che hanno costatato questa mattina i #vigilidelfuoco intervenuti insieme ad @arpaveneto per dei prelievi per analizzare la colorazione anomala #soccorsiquotidiani pic.twitter.com/tzKoQqEXvx

— VigilFuoco Veneto (@vvfveneto) May 28, 2023

• However, no environmental group claimed responsibility. There were concerns that it could be due to an overgrowth or algae or leaking of an illegal substance. Now, it doesn't seem to be the case. 

This is not the first time that Venice's Grand Canal has turned bright green. Back in 1968, an Argentine environmental activist dyed the water green to raise awareness about ecological issues. The activist had also used fluorescein for the act. 

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