|  A large white blob that appeared off Cataluņa's southern beaches last Wednesday has been identified as tripalmitina - a greasy, non-toxic, oily substance for industrial use.
As a result, green safe bathing flags have been re-hoisted over beaches in Viladecans, Sitges and Vilanova while yellow flags have been raised in Gavā and Castelldefels (photo), where lifeguards warn that bathing conditions are still not ideal.
Regional Environment minister, Francesc Baltasar, speculated on Catalunya Rādio yesterday that the incident was probably the result of an accidental spill out at sea.
Mystery blob spotted off Sitges coast
By: thinkSPAIN
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The appearance of a large, white, greasy blob around half a mile from Sitges beach this morning has triggered the activation of the regional accidental marine contamination emergency plan.
Civil Protection officers keeping a watch on the blob from the air report that it is expanding, and breaking up into small globules, measuring roughly 2cm across.
Samples have been collected by the crew of a Catalan Water Agency vessel patrolling the area, and these will be analysed in an effort to determine what the unusual slick might be. |
