Rayong beach’s dark waters leave a foul odor but no fishy business
The Thai police investigated the appearance of black water at a beach in Rayong, finding a foul odour but no dead marine life. It is suspected that wastewater flowed into the sea following heavy rain over the past week.
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, along with the Eastern Gulf of Thailand Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center and the Rayong Marine and Coastal Resources Office, conducted an environmental quality inspection at the site.
The investigation focused on the water quality at Mae Ram Phueng Beach, situated in Taphong Subdistrict, Mueang Rayong District.
Locals reported seeing black water flowing into the sea since heavy rainfall started about a week ago. Preliminary surveys confirmed the presence of black water at the Huaro Canal and Namwa Canal, which discharge into Mae Ram Phueng Beach.
The water had a foul odour, but no dead marine life was discovered. At the shoreline, the seawater appeared normal.
Water quality tests showed pH levels ranging from 6.57 to 8.15, temperatures between 32 and 34.0 degrees Celcius, salinity from 0.2 to 29.6 parts per thousand, and dissolved oxygen levels from 0.95 to 6.84 milligrammes per litre, which mostly met recreational standards except for lower dissolved oxygen levels at the canal mouths.
A representative from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources suspects that the black water is wastewater flowing into the sea, likely from the accumulation of natural plant debris resulting from recent heavy rainfall that raised canal water levels, carrying the wastewater to the beach.
The authorities have yet to provide a detailed analysis of the nutrient content of the water, but they are expected to report the findings in due course, reported Khaosod.
In separate news, police summoned a homeless couple to pay a fine after a viral video showed them having sex in public in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen on Tuesday, May 28.
