Russian authorities are investigating why the Daldykan River in Siberia turned red last week , after a similar incident in June . The river runs close to the city of Norilsk , which is one of the country ’s most polluted areas and contains the world ’s largest heavy smelting plant . Deaths from respiratory conditions are believed to be unusually high in the city . Although the cause of the colour change remains uncertain , many local people blame nearby metallurgical plants , whilst analysts believe mining waste may be responsible . scientists have speculated that the water is potentially toxic to both humans and animals .
Russian authorities are investigating why the Daldykan River in Siberia turned red last week, after a similar incident in June. The river runs close to the city of Norilsk, which is one of the country’s most polluted areas and contains the world’s largest heavy smelting industry. Deaths from respiratory conditions are believed to be unusually high in the city. Although the cause of the colour change remains uncertain, many local people blame nearby metallurgical plants, whilst analysts believe mining waste may be responsible. Scientists have warned that the water is potentially toxic to both people and livestock.