Get out of the Water..NOW! Cyanide in River

[Muttley08]

I assume they still do lots of pottery in Stoke? Not sure about cyanide from sewage treatment - thought it was mainly biological these days?

Sounds as if they know who's done it now anyway....probably get find 20k and a slap on the wrists...meanwhile the river is dead for 10 years...

[OwlHoot]

I like my water with a hint of cyanide

It'll kill most bacteria, although whether there's a dose that'll do that without killing or injuring you is debatable. (Even sub-lethal tiny doses of cyanide can cause horrible permanent injuries like blindness or paralysis.)

All they need do to neutralize it is tip a truck load of dicobalt edetate in the water.

As for the polluter, I guess they'd be looking for a silver plating company. Must still be a fair few of them round Stoke on Trent.

[Alf W]

This is a serious issue around the Stoke area. A number of high profile dog-fighting events have already had to be cancelled.

[pzz76077]

Whoever dumpted it, should have followed these simple steps...

Cyanide disposal
Waste Cyanide Destruction by Potassium Permanganate

Potassium permanganate (KmnO4) is a well known oxidizing agent and has been reported to react with cyanide ions in alkaline or neutral media according to the following equation (see ref. 1):

2KmnO4 + 31CN- + H2O = 2MnO2 + CNO + 2OH-

For each kilogram of cyanide to be oxidized requires 4.05 Kg of KMnO4. To enhance the cyanide oxidation rate, a catalytic amount of Cu(II) salt is found to be very effective. While using only KMnO4 as an oxidant cyanide levels did not drop much after 3-4 periods, but it came down to almost zero level after introduction of catalytic amount of CuSO4.5H2O salt.

To destroy the waste cyanide in the lab use the amount of oxidants required according to the equations shown below:

Amount of KmnO4(g) = V.[C). (4.05 x 10-3)

(where [C] is the cyanide concentration of ppm and V is the volume in litres)

Amount of Cu(SO4).5H20 = V.[C]. (2.5 x 10-4)

For example, when we have treated 100 ppm 25L cyanide waste with 10g KMnO4 and 0.6g CuS04.5H20, a cyanide probe shows more than 99% cyanide being disappeared in less than two hours.

To ensure complete oxidation of cyanide and metal cyanide complexes, it is better to keep permanganate treated waste cyanide standing overnight prior to discharge it into sewage.

Potassium cyanide and similar salts readily dissolve in water to give the free cyanide ion, which can be easily complexed or oxidised. For small amount (< 1g), use dilute neutral ferrous sulphate solution in a basin to wash gloves and apparatus; flush to drain with ample water.

PZZ

[Board Game Geek]

Hmm.

I've read dozens and dozens of reports, and so far an interesting question has been missing.

Upstream
Location Clean
Location Clean
Location Clean :<<Start Here>>
Location Might be Clean
Location Might be Clean
Location Might be Clean
Location Might be Clean
Location : Strongford Sewage Works (Where Cyanide Discovered) <<End Here>>
Location Polluted
Location Polluted
Location Polluted
Location Polluted
Location : Yoxall
Downstream

We are being told that the source has either not been identified, or it cannot be named for legal reasons.

What we have not been told is which part of the River Trent is safe upstream.

I guess however that would be almost as good as telling us the vicinity of the source.

Well, since anyone with Google Earth and a good few hours boredom can do some basic research, here is a sightseeing tour along the Trent, starting at the Strongford Sewage Works, and working upstream.

The tour does not claim to be 100% complete nor accurate. It is not the intention of the tour to cast any aspercions or blame on anyone (and I've deliberately left out names anyway). It's just a nice river trip up the canal, with a few sights pointed out. Any sites specifically pointed out are for interest only, and do not constitute an accusation of any wrongdoings.

First up, as we chug along in our lovely barge, is a massive factory complex 1/4 of a mile from the Sewage Works. This is a manufacturer of pottery.

Another 2 miles or so upstream is a lovely and engaging incinerator plant, specialising in the disposal of hazardous waste.

Further upstream anther mile or so is a manufacturer of inorganic chemicals and fertilisers.

I've missed out dozens of other locations along the way, but I hope you've enjoyed our messing about on the river.

To be honest, I'm surprised there's anything left breathing in the county, let alone the fekking river.

[BrowneIssue]

Update

There was an update issued by the Food Standards Agency (of all bodies) on the 8th:

No food safety risk from river pollution

The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that there is no food safety risk from the leak of cyanide into the River Trent discovered on Tuesday 6 October. Based on the most recent test results for samples taken from the river we are satisfied that the levels of cyanide and other pollutants are not a concern for health.

The Environment Agency reported this week that partially-treated sewage containing cyanide had been released into the River Trent between Stoke-on-Trent and Yoxall. Environment Agency officials have been pumping oxygen into the river to reduce pollution levels and are continuing to track the pollution and take water samples to monitor the situation.

Thousands of fish died as a result of the incident and, although there were no reports of people or animals being affected, they were temporarily advised to stay away from the river. As a precautionary measure the Agency also advised people to stop using water from the river. However, we are now satisfied that the risk to food safety was low and short-term.