Mysterious 'dark red substance' in Cheonsu Bay; seawater smells like a landfill, fish die

Residents along Cheonsu Bay in South Korea are alarmed by a dark reddish substance appearing on the sea surface, accompanied by a foul odor reminiscent of a landfill. The situation has drawn comparisons to the 2007 Hebei Spirit oil spill, with local fishermen expressing unprecedented concern over the condition of the bay.

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It feels like seeing the Hebei Spirit oil spill again.

The discoloration and stench reportedly began around July 21, following the release of freshwater from Hongseong Lake during the monsoon season. Fishermen suspect that microorganisms from the lake, upon mixing with seawater, died off after about a day, creating the floating debris and odor. "I went into the sea with divers on the 22nd to survey the fishing grounds, and sticky substances covered our entire bodies," said Park Tae-wook, head of the Changri fishing village cooperative. "I suspect that microorganisms in the Hongseong Lake water were swept to the sea and died after about a day upon meeting the salinity."

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I went into the sea with divers on the 22nd to survey the fishing grounds, and sticky substances covered our entire bodies. I suspect that microorganisms in the Hongseong Lake water were swept to the sea and died after about a day upon meeting the salinity.

However, the Korea Rural Community Corporation, which manages Hongseong Lake, suggests that discharge from the Bunamho Lake in Buseok-myeon, Seosan, might be the cause. They argue that the distance from Hongseong Lake to Changri is significant, and the debris would take about three days to travel. They also noted that Bunamho Lake, closer to the affected area, had its water discharged for nine days in July.

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Hongseong Lake to Changri is about 16.1 kilometers in a straight line, and it would take about 3 days for the floating matter to reach there. Bunamho, which is closer, discharged water from July 11 to 19 for 9 days.

The mysterious substance has also led to fish kills. Park Tae-wook reported that bream in the fish farms were found dead, with dissolved oxygen levels dropping significantly. "Bream need about 5 milligrams of dissolved oxygen per liter to feed, but today it dropped to 2.4 milligrams," he stated. The Chungnam Provincial Government has collected seawater samples for analysis by its health and environment research institute and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute. The National Institute of Biological Resources will analyze the floating material. Results are expected in early August. Governor Park Soo-hyun pledged to investigate the cause and develop long-term measures to restore Cheonsu Bay's clean environment.

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Bream need about 5 milligrams of dissolved oxygen per liter to feed, but today it dropped to 2.4 milligrams. In each fish farm, 30 to 40 bream started floating [dead].