HaTinh (VNA) - The red streak that appeared in the waters around the VungAng economic zone in the central province of Ha Tinh – the same area stillreeling from the consequences of the Formosa toxic spill – was confirmed tohave been caused by algal bloom.

Thisis the conclusion according to a report that Tran Hong Ha, Minister of NaturalResources of Environment (MoNRE), submitted to the Prime Minister, reported thePhap Luat (Law) newspaper.

OnJanuary 19 and February 18 at Vung Ang Port, between Vung Ang Thermo PowerPlant No.1 and aquacultural farmers’ production zone in the area, and at thebreakwater at Son Duong Port by Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation (FHS), redstreaks of bubbling water could be seen. Concurrently, a video purported to beof Formosa discharging pink-coloured waste made the rounds on social media. Thevideo was later found to be manipulated 2-year-old footage of a draindischarging in Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City.

Theministry then directed competent authorities to collect seawater samples forlaboratory tests. Phytoplankton samples were sent to the Hai Phong Insitute ofMarine Environment and Resources, under the Vietnam Academy of Science, to betested.

Analysisof six seawater samples showed that levels of ammonia at Son Duong Port were31.2 times higher than permitted, and surface water close to the shore and 500maway from the shore contained ammonia levels 1.34-1.78 higher than permitted.Seawater 1000m away from Vung Ang Port is safe, and the amounts of otherpollutants were within safe parameters.

However,three samples taken at Vung Ang Port (near shore, 500m and 1000m away fromshore) and one sample from Son Duong Port showed a high concentration ofNoctiluca scintillans plankton. The nearer to the shore, the higher theconcentration of the plankton.

Eachlitre of the measured seawater at Vung Ang Port contained about 46,000 cells ofthis plankton, and 135,000 cells at Son Duong Port.

Accordingto locals, the red streak dissipated as quickly as it had appeared.

Theplankton does not appear to release toxins into the water, but when they feedon large amounts of phytoplankton they may excrete considerable ammonia, andthe red hue is a result of the pigments contained in the phytoplankton.

Ina related move, the ministry has asked the Prime Minister to direct theMinistry of Public Security to work with Ministry of Information andCommunications to handle those who have posted the falsified video, includingsome press agencies who ran the story without verification, causing widespreadconcern.

InApril last year, wastewater discharged from the Taiwan-based steel companycaused a mass fish death fish along 200 kilometers of Vietnam’s centralcoastline.

Fourmonths later, the company owned up to its mistake, offering a public apologyand pledging 500 million USD as compensation to the Vietnamese government whothen distributed aid to affected fishermen, households and organisations.-VNA