'Sea mud' invades Cua Lo, warning of ocean waste

Present at Cua Lo beach near Lan Chau island at 9:00 a.m. on December 27, 2022, noticed the sea in this area turned dark black, the sea water near the shore was shimmering like glass. Photo: Nhat Lan

The sea water turned black for about 1km. Photo: Nhat Lan

Visually, the ocean waves can clearly see the dense black sediment in the water. Photo: Nhat Lan

When the waves are calm, the water surface is covered with debris. Photo: Nhat Lan

According to environmental workers in Cua Lo town, for the past few years, whenever the northeast monsoon comes, the rough seas push the black humus ashore; this situation has happened not only in the strait near Lan Chau island but also in Cua Hoi area. This year, this situation lasted for more than a day (December 26 - PV), the sea water feels darker, and the area is also quite large compared to previous years. Photo: Nhat Lan

Environmentalists in Cua Lo town call the black residue in the seawater "sea mulch". They explain that most "sea mulch" is produced from economic activities. It can also be from ship discharge; it can also be from onshore production activities dumping waste into the sea; it can also be from floods from upstream pushing waste into the sea... Over time, these types of waste accumulate and decompose, forming sea mulch that sinks deep into the ocean. It can also be bags of garbage floating on the sea surface, which can be called "ocean waste". During rough seas, rolling waves bring waste to shore. Photo: Nhat Lan

They also said that on days when "sea mulch" appears on Cua Lo beach, the environmental sanitation force in Cua Lo has more work and more hardship. Because they are responsible for collecting "sea mulch" to take away for treatment, and have to clean the embankments and roads covered with sea mulch. Photo: Nhat Lan

A section of the promenade stained with "sea mud" has been cleaned and washed by sanitation workers. However, the black stains still stick to the road surface. Photo: Nhat Lan

Mr. Le Van Hung - Head of the Department of Environmental Protection also confirmed that for the past five years, every time there is a northeast monsoon, Cua Lo sea is invaded by "sea mulch". Mr. Hung analyzed that when the sea mulch is scooped up, it has a fairly uniform shape and color, like black sawdust; moreover, the northeast monsoon pushes it towards Cua Lo sea, so it is possible to suspect that "sea mulch" is generated from economic activities, and in the North. Mr. Hung said: "The situation of "sea mud - ocean waste" has appeared in many localities across the country. Therefore, every year, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment always has instructions to carry out propaganda work so that all organizations and individuals are aware of preserving the marine environment and not discharging waste into the sea. With Cua Lo beach, the suspected cause of "sea mud" is like that, but it is very difficult to confirm exactly in order to have a thorough solution. Therefore, every time this situation is discovered, the Department guides Cua Lo town and coastal localities to do sanitation work, so that the marine environment is safe again...". Photo: Nhat Lan