Pollution, toxic chemicals blamed for death of 60 stingrays in Mae Klong

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Pollution, toxic chemicals blamed for death of 60 stingrays in Mae Klong
By Pratch Rujivanarom

The Nation

 

But scientists are divided over exact cause; “wastewater released for years”

 

RATCHABURI: -- THE deaths of giant freshwater stingrays in the Mae Klong River could have been caused by a combination of pollution created by human activities and natural phenomena.

However, the exact reason behind the death of more than 50 critically endangered giant stingrays is still the subject of dispute. 

A team from Kasetsart University has said pollution – namely, wastewater – was the major factor behind the deaths. But vets from Chulalongkorn University have said traces of a cyanide compound were found in tissue samples from the dead rays and toxic chemical contamination could have caused their deaths.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30297919

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-10-19

[Somtamnication]

Well, no shit Sherlock. This will be in the headlines for another week then the stingrays will be forgotten, or sent to China re-education camp's dining tables. 

[fruitman]

First they were manta-rays and now stingrays? Can they actually sting?

[Brer Fox]

This is a polite way of saying nothing so that the "nearby" factories cannot be blamed or the "connected" people have the finger of the law pointed at them. Too much money involved for that to happen.

[Loeilad]

2 hours ago, fruitman said:

First they were manta-rays and now stingrays? Can they actually sting?

Stingrays - which is what these are - have a tail with a barb on the end that they whip round in defence. autralian showman Steve Irwin was killed by a marine stingray. The ones in this article are a freshwater breed - one of the largest freshwater fish in the world.

[Loeilad]

59 minutes ago, Brer Fox said:

This is a polite way of saying nothing so that the "nearby" factories cannot be blamed or the "connected" people have the finger of the law pointed at them. Too much money involved for that to happen.

literally "muddying the waters" - so the truth is unlikely to come out.

[leeneeds]

 

Eventually all these incidents will catch up with humanity, 

any form of water contamination in the future will bring about the death penalty,

only Lip service on accountability.

 

[fruitman]

48 minutes ago, Loeilad said:

Stingrays - which is what these are - have a tail with a barb on the end that they whip round in defence. autralian showman Steve Irwin was killed by a marine stingray. The ones in this article are a freshwater breed - one of the largest freshwater fish in the world.

 

Wikipedia tells they can become 4.6 meter long and 1.9 meter wide!! The sting can be 38 cm and go through bones.

 

 

[Loeilad]

"a combination of pollution created by human activities and natural phenomena."

 

 

The probelm I have with this is the inclusion of "natural phenomena" - which is complete nonsense and one can only assume it was put there as some kind of get out clause.

 

Any "natural phenomena" - would in reality have been brought about by changes in the water (or even climate) that have been caused by MAN-MADE factors - so to try and dismiss them as "natural" is just pure nonsense.

[jak2002003]

That river used to be a beautiful thing.. full of exotic wildlife, dolphins and abundant fish stocks.  Now with more and more dams, pollution, overfishing, dredging etc its getting to be basically a lifeless giant drain. 

 

 

[worgeordie]

Rays and Sharks are very susceptible to heavy metals which 

accumulate in their tissues,maybe thats one thing they need

to look at,any factories near the river that use them,also i have never

seen any reports of other fish species that have been affected.

 

regards worgeordie

 

[Morch]

2 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

That river used to be a beautiful thing.. full of exotic wildlife, dolphins and abundant fish stocks.  Now with more and more dams, pollution, overfishing, dredging etc its getting to be basically a lifeless giant drain. 

 

 

 

Aye. Wife and her family often reminiscence on sand banks, fresh fish and swimming in clear water.

There was an incident, perhaps 25-30 years back, which saw countless fish floating dead on the river, the result of spillage from one of the factories. At the time it was a pretty big story, many locals still remember it well. Heard it brought up a few times with connection to the current one.

[Gainsbourg]

Stingrays no understand thailand...

[kannot]

kill a few endangered stingrays, no problem......wear  wrong colour  shirt big problem...........

[dominique355]

Now why didn't we think of that?

[jak2002003]

2 hours ago, Gainsbourg said:

Stingrays no understand thailand...

They did not fill in their personal information forms and supply a photo to immigration office!!! 

 

Cause of death was suicide. 

[fruitman]

5 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Rays and Sharks are very susceptible to heavy metals which 

accumulate in their tissues,maybe thats one thing they need

to look at,any factories near the river that use them,also i have never

seen any reports of other fish species that have been affected.

 

regards worgeordie

 

 

Factoly not guilty krab, him only hab stock of chemical next to liver..Nature flooding bring chemical in river....so is natural....

[Grubster]

I still suspect a large hog operation, very toxic waste.

[jak2002003]

6 hours ago, fruitman said:

 

Factoly not guilty krab, him only hab stock of chemical next to liver..Nature flooding bring chemical in river....so is natural....

Stock of chemical next to river... come from where?  Not nature.  Humans changed the nature... deforestation, land erosion, chemicals on farmland, factory, dams, dredging, etc.