Mystery Behind " Neon Green " River Mystery Solved: Water Samples Reveal Why the Goldstream River Turned Green

When a stretch of the Goldstream River on Vancouver Island unexpectedly turned neon green last week, residents and scientists alike were concerned. Those who saw the river worried about the effect the contamination might have on fish and wildlife. They can now breathe a sigh of relief. Water samples now prove the cause of the water's unusual colour was the presence of fluorescein, a tracing product usually used to find leaks and diagnose medical conditions and is non-toxic.

According to the Victoria Times Colonist, Dan Gilmore, B.C.'s environment ministry spokesman, said "Fluorescein is a synthetic organic compound soluble in water and alcohol. It is widely used as a fluorescent tracer for many applications. The product itself and its products of degradation are not toxic." A fountain in Langford, B.C. also ran green around the same time as the river, according to The Vancouver Sun.
Many have speculated the two incidents were connected and that both were likely pranks.

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