Specialists considering 3 possible sources of pollution of Pacific waters offshore Kamchatka
PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY. Oct 5 (Interfax) - Specialists are considering three possible sources of pollution of Pacific waters offshore Kamchatka, Kamchatka Territory Governor Vladimir Solodov said.
Man-made pollution is one of the theories.
"A theory of man-made pollution is under consideration. It could be a spill of some toxic substances," Solodov told the press on Monday.
Another theory is a natural phenomenon.
"For instance, it could be algae washed up on the shore by a gale," the governor said.
There is yet another theory connected to the seismic and volcanic activity on the peninsula, he said.
It is too early to focus on any of these theories, Solodov said.
Surfers reported a change in the color of water on the Khalaktyrsky Beach in Kamchatka in late September. Local residents posted social media reports on dead sea animals, such as octopuses, sea urchins and sea stars, washed up on the shore. Samples of water, sand, and dead sea animals and mollusks were sent to laboratories of Moscow and Vladivostok for testing.
The environmental prosecution service launched an inquiry into water pollution in Kamchatka. The Kamchatka territorial branch of the Russian Investigative Committee is investigating media reports on mass deaths of sea animals in the Avacha Bay.
Specialists examining the Khalaktyrsky Beach detected phenol pollution 2.5 times higher than the maximum allowable concentration and petroleum product pollution 3.6 times exceeding the maximum allowable concentration.
The regional authorities said on Sunday that the situation in the Avacha Bay had improved.