China Gov’t Keeps Close Eye on Water Quality Near Blast Site

Beijing  (PNA/Xinhua) –- Authorities are closely monitoring the quality of water in neighboring areas of the blast site in the country’s northern port city of Tianjin.The China State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said it is currently widening the scope of its operations wherein it has already conducted and sampling water at more sites despite falling densities of key toxic substances in waters near the explosion’s ground zero.

Data from the SOA showed on Wednesday that small traces of cyanide were detected in two out of 13 sites on Sunday at a maximum density of 0.00156 mg/L. Meanwhile, one out of 16 sites reported a density of 0.00103 mg/L on the following day. On Tuesday, no traces were found.

The maximum density detected was below the 0.005 mg/L standard for first-grade water quality, which is fit for the oceanic fishing industry and protected habitats for rare species.

The agency has already set up monitoring sites off Tianjin port and the sea east of Dongjiang port.

Similarly, maximum density of volatile phenol, which was detected in four sites Monday, dropped from 0.00581 mg/L to 0.00477 mg/L Tuesday. The said results passed the first-grade water quality standard which requires a maximum density of 0.005 mg/L.

Despite the highest density exceeding permitted standard once, the SOA noted that volatile phenol is unlikely to affect nearby waters. However, it stressed that cyanide remained the most severe threat to the maritime environment due to its capability to kill large numbers of fish and other marine life.

In response, The SOA continues to monitor the situation in areas near the blast site in order to prevent the toxic substance from spreading into the ocean in significant amounts.

On Aug.12, two explosions ripped through a warehouse which housed hundreds of tons of toxic chemicals, including an estimated volume of 700 tones of sodium cyanide. The death toll from the accident has risen to 114, while 692 people were injured and 57 unaccounted for. (PNA/Xinhua) FFC/BNB/EBP