27/01/2016
The turbidity plume flowing out of the mouth of the Doce River did not reach the waters of the Abrolhos archipelago, in the south of the State of Bahia. Analyses performed by the laboratory engaged by Samarco, ALS Corplab, on the water samples collected from the area show that there was no change in local sea waters related to the Fundão dam accident.
The lab tests of these samples found no iron oxide, which would be one of the elements that could represent a link to the Doce River turbidity plume. The plume basically consists of water and solid particles of iron oxides and silica (sand) or quartz, generated by the iron ore beneficiation process. The solid particles in suspension cause the water to look muddy.
The quality of the water collected on different days also showed that the parameters are within the limits of Brazilian standard CONAMA 357 level one (saline water), with no abnormality.
In addition to the proof provided by the technical reports, the daily monitoring performed by Samarco in Espírito Santo and Bahia shows that the turbidity found at the beaches in the north of the former and the south of the latter state are within normal limits, which makes the presence of the plume in the Abrolhos region improbable.
