What is the truth behind the circulated images of "chemical and radiological pollution" in Khartoum?

SadaNews - Sudanese accounts on social media circulated an image of a red water pond claimed to be taken in the Soba area of Khartoum, with accusations that the change in its color is due to the use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese army, considered as "evidence of an environmental disaster" threatening the capital's residents.

The photo garnered wide interaction on Facebook in recent days, accompanied by local posts and reports indicating that residents of Soba spoke of a sudden change in the color of the water.

Activists considered this a dangerous chemical and radiological pollution, amidst fears of its health and environmental repercussions. Several prominent Sudanese pages contributed to republishing the image and amplifying the allegations.

Local testimonies

The circulated image sparked widespread reaction among Khartoum residents, with some popular narratives mocking the scene, suggesting that what is happening in Soba resembles rainwater turning into colored drinks, referring to the strangeness of the situation and people's unfamiliarity with such phenomena.

Conversely, others linked the phenomenon to what they described as previous environmental incidents in other areas such as Al-Jazirah state, considering the appearance of the red pond in Soba as just a new link in a series of consequences resulting from the use of chemical weapons.

Skeptical voices also emerged, arguing that the photo could be just a digital manipulation or an optical illusion, while others expressed a firm belief that the sudden change in water color represents a serious pollution due to military activity.

Additionally, local platforms reported eyewitness accounts from the Al-Fiyafi neighborhood in Soba stating that the water in the creek did indeed turn dark red on September 3, which heightened residents' fears regarding possible health and environmental impacts, prompting some to call for an urgent investigation and official intervention to ensure the safety of the population and the environment.

Refutation

The "Al Jazeera Investigates" team conducted a reverse search for the circulated images and found no previous results, suggesting they were taken recently.

Referring to scientific sources, the agency found that the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explained the phenomenon of red water as red tide, a natural process caused by the proliferation of certain types of microalgae under specific environmental conditions (high temperature, salinity, nutrient availability).

This phenomenon has been observed in lakes and water bodies in several countries, including Kenya, Argentina, and India.

On September 1, the Federal Ministry of Health issued an official report denying any chemical or radiological contamination in Khartoum.

It confirmed that field tests, using devices accredited by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, found no radiological levels or toxic substances, noting that the health deterioration in the capital is due to the spread of epidemics like cholera, malaria, and dengue fever, in addition to fires and carbon emissions.

Source: Al Jazeera