Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
More than 200 million people to feel impacts of scorching July heat. Get details Chevron right

Columbus, OH

73°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

73°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars
Air Quality Alert

News / Weather News

Venice authorities discover why canal turned fluorescent green

Images showed gondolas, water taxis and water bus boats skimming through the emerald substance.

By Barbie Latza Nadeau and Caolán Magee, CNN

Published May 29, 2023 1:35 PM EDT | Updated May 30, 2023 12:14 PM EDT

Copied

The authorities in Venice are trying to discover how the waters of the Grand Canal turned bright green.

Rome (CNN) — A mysterious patch of fluorescent green water that appeared in Venice’s famed Grand Canal Sunday was caused by a chemical commonly used in underwater construction to help identify leaks, environmental authorities say.

The chemical – fluorescein – is non-toxic. It remains unclear how the substance ended up in the canal, but the Regional Agency for the Environment in Venice (ARPAV) said given the volume released it was unlikely to be an accident.

The verdant blob was first noticed by residents near the Rialto Bridge on Sunday morning local time and grew slowly through the day.

Images showed gondolas, water taxis and water bus boats skimming through the emerald substance.

A gondola crosses Venice's historical Grand Canal as a patch of phosphorescent green liquid spreads in it, on May 28. (Luigii Costantini/AP)

No group has claimed responsibility for the act and local police are investigating a number of leads, including environmental activism, a spokesperson for the Venice Police told CNN.

Further test results are expected later this week, which could help identify the exact quantity of the substance in the water.

Luca Zaia, the president of the region of Venice, warned that environmental activists may carry out copycat acts.

People observe Venice's historical Grand Canal as a patch of phosphorescent green liquid spreads in it. (Luigii Costantini/AP)

Further test results are expected later this week, which could help identify the exact quantity of the substance in the water.

The curious coloring came as the city celebrated the Vogalonga boat event, created to combat wave motion and to restore Venetian traditions and help spread attention for the environment and nature as well as the architecture Biennale, which opened last weekend.

This is not the first time Venice’s Grand Canal has changed color.

In 1968 Argentine artist Nicolás García Uriburu dyed the waters of the canal green with a fluorescent dye called Fluorescein, during the annual Venice Biennale. The move was designed to bring attention to ecological issues and the relationship between nature and civilization.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

MORE TO EXPLORE:

They bought a rundown castle and transformed it into a luxury retreat
They bought a ghost village in Italy then left it to crumble
Terrifying moments as plane door opens midair on Asiana flight
Tourist hot spot erects fence to deter selfie-takers
Florida beach praised for its 'sugary fine' sand tops list of best U.S. beaches for 2023
Report a Typo

Weather News

video

Rounds of storms in the Southeast lead to flash flooding

Jul. 21, 2025
Weather News

The day Niagara Falls ran dry: Here's what it looked like

Jul. 21, 2025
Weather News

Texas officials lower Kerr County missing count to 3

Jul. 21, 2025
Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 16, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe thunderstorms to bring a risk for flash flooding

Jul. 21, 2025
Hurricane

Tropical development lurking in the Gulf for late July

Jul. 22, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Severe Weather

Flash floods surge as rainfall grows more intense

11 hours ago

Weather News

100 million to swelter daily in massive US heat dome

7 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Heat to rebound in Northeast, following current humidity lull

7 hours ago

Weather News

Dad fights off mountain lion during attack on child

11 hours ago

Severe Weather

Severe storms to focus from Plains to Great Lakes through midweek

7 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Weather News

Hurricane Katrina victim is helping survivors of the Texas floods

1 day ago

Recreation

1 person killed after group is swept through Oregon rapids

1 day ago

Travel

Delta regional jet pilot apologizes for ‘aggressive maneuver’

1 day ago

Weather News

‘Shark Whisperer’ swims its way into our shark obsession

6 hours ago

Climate

A capital city is on the verge of running dry

1 day ago

AccuWeather Weather News Venice authorities discover why canal turned fluorescent green
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...