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Brazilians Cancel Vacation Plans As 50 Million Metric Tons Of "Noxious Mud" Turns Ocean Brown

Tyler Durden's picture




 

2015 was not kind to Brazil. 

In addition to a seemingly intractable political crisis that has rendered Congress effectively useless when it comes to passing legislation aimed at shoring up an increasingly precarious fiscal situation, the country is also mired in what might as well be a depression. 

Inflation is running in the double-digits, unemployment is soaring, and output has collapsed in the face of an epic downturn in commodity prices, slowing demand from China, and a yuan deval that drove a stake through the heart of the already beleaguered emerging world. 

The BRL has suffered mightily throughout and will likely need to “adjust” further before it’s all said and done. That, in turn, will put still more pressure on inflation, ensuring that not only can Copom not cut to save the economy, it will in fact be forced to hike in January, a procyclical move that will likely deal another blow to GDP.

None of that bodes well for the summer Olympic games in Rio. As we’ve detailed in a series of posts dating back to July, Olympians will be forced to deal with some rather unpleasant circumstances including a lack of air conditioning and television in Olympic village and feces-ridden water. And that assumes the games happen at all after longtime Olympic power provider Aggreko pulled out of a tender to supply generators.

Now, in what Bloomberg calls “the year's final indignity,” Brazilians are being forced to cancel their vacation plans due to a “waves of noxious mud” that have polluted the ocean in the wake of the dam collapse in November that “buried entire communities and devastated national parks.” 

For those who missed it, you can read the entire account of what happened here, but suffice to say a Samarco (which is jointly run by BHP Billiton and Vale) tailings dam burst, sending a river of toxic mud into nearby villages. Here are a few images from the scene: 

As Bloomberg goes on to note, "50 million metric tons of sludge is spreading off the coast between Rio de Janeiro and Bahia states, turning the pristine blue waters brown along an expected 30 miles of beaches." Here's a bit more from Ibama, the country's environmental agency (translated):

Mining waste formed a wave of mud which directly affected 663 km on the Doce River and its tributaries, reaching the ocean in 21/11, in Linhares, Espirito Santo.

 

 

The destruction of Permanent Preservation Areas occurred on the stretch of 77 km of waterways of Fundão dam to the Carmel River in San Sebastian the Superb (MG). The impacts on the marine environment are still ongoing and have not been evaluated in this report.


Direct environmental and social harm, such as death and disappearance of persons were found; Insulation populated areas; displacement of communities for the destruction of housing and urban structures; habitat fragmentation; destruction of permanent preservation areas and native vegetation; slaughter of farm animals and impact on rural production and tourism, with interruption of economic revenue; restrictions on fishing; slaughter of domestic animals; death of wildlife; decimation of wild fish populations in closed season; difficulties in electricity generation by hydro hit; change in the quality and quantity of water, and the suspension of their use for the people and wildlife such as supply and watering; in addition to the sense of danger and helplessness of the population at various levels.

“I was really worried. Everyone who thought of going for the end of the year will have to cancel," said Paula de Souza Vieira, a 23 year-old who spoke to Bloomberg. Here's more:

Vieira, thought she’d found the perfect spot: A palm-tree lined stretch of empty sand on the edge of a national preserve about 400 miles (640 kilometers) north of Rio de Janeiro. But a dam disaster in southeast Brazil that sent waves of noxious mud downstream into the Atlantic Ocean forced her to scrap her trip.

 

Some coastal hotels and restaurants, which rely on the New Year’s holiday as a major source of revenue, have seen cancellations surge because of the accident. Reservations for the New Year’s holiday plunged by more than half at the Arana bed and breakfast in Regencia Village, where Vieira planned to stay with her girlfriend.

 

 “Nobody is going to pay 2,000 reais for a holiday package to go to a place where people say the mud is,” said owner Dulce Mendonca. While the water supply hasn’t been affected, the ocean is thick and brown with sludge, she said. Fishermen aren’t allowed to fish, and people are being cautioned to stay out of the water.

Earlier this week, the death toll from the dam collapse was raised to 17. As The Sydney Morning Herald wrote, "the Samarco partners were hit with a fine of 20 billion Brazilian reals in November, and a court in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte ruled last week that 10 per cent of that must be paid with 30 days." In other words, BHP and Vale will need to pay some $500 million by January 17. "A federal court has ruled that the potential damages from the disaster could be about 20.2bn reais ($5.2bn; £3.4bn)," BBC adds. "The companies' assets were frozen amid concerns that Samarco does not have enough resources to cover the cost of damages and compensation." 

So, in addition to a variety of disease-causing viruses that, thanks to Brazil's lack of waste water treatment centers, are already present in quantities that in some tests measured up to 1.7 million times the level of what would be considered hazardous on a Southern California beach, there's now 50 tons of mine sludge in the water as well. 

As for Paula de Souza Vieira (mentioned above), it turns out she would likely have canceled her trip even if it weren't for the mud - she joined the swelling ranks of Brazil's unemployed this month after getting fired from her job as a television producer.

 

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Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:06 | 6958027 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

50 MILLION metric tons is a lot more than 50 metric tons...I know 'metric' is hard but....

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:18 | 6958054 Looney
Looney's picture

Hey, LasVegasPersona,

What’s the status of that bitch's runnin’ over a buncha people?

How come nobody demands:

Background checks on car buyers,

Banning automatic transmissions,

Waiting periods for cars purchases,

Closing the Car Show Loophole? ;-)

 

CARS DON’T KILL PEOPLE,

PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE!

Looney

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:18 | 6958077 Kprime
Kprime's picture

yesterday's news.  get back to me on the next mass murder attempt.  I'm sure the next one will be a crazy ass buss driver.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:37 | 6958132 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Just call it a hunch but I'd be willing to bet a plate of Christmas cookies an EPA team was "on loan" making suggestions on how to maintain the dam.

Jus sayin

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:57 | 6958185 Brooks_Orpington
Brooks_Orpington's picture

Your use of the word "Christmas" is  a microaggression.  I need a safe zone.

You freakin' bully.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 19:18 | 6958262 RonArgent
RonArgent's picture

Dude,

I like bet the spring striper run, is like bummed dude

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 20:08 | 6958433 38BWD22
38BWD22's picture

 

 

And there is this, a new mosquito-borne illness popping up in Brazil mostly affecting babies (2400 cases and counting):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/12/23/brazil-...

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 20:13 | 6958452 LowerSlowerDela...
LowerSlowerDelaware_LSD's picture

I came here for the pictures.  I am sorely disappointed...

Did this not impact the girls on the Brazil beaches?!?!?

 

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 21:09 | 6958622 fockewulf190
fockewulf190's picture

Not the mud wrestlers.

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 06:07 | 6959563 zhandax
zhandax's picture

If they weren’t  they are now,

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 19:25 | 6958287 nmewn
nmewn's picture

lmao!

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:57 | 6958188 Beam Me Up Scotty
Beam Me Up Scotty's picture

Looney, don't forget about Timothy McVeigh either.  He didnt use a gun to kill one single person.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 22:10 | 6958830 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

Looney, don't forget about Timothy McVeigh either.  He didnt use a gun to kill one single person.

 

That's primarily because he didn't do it in the first place . . . .

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 02:24 | 6959412 SixIsNinE
SixIsNinE's picture

 - Noble Lie is free on youtube now (always the makers could sure use donations or buy the dvd) .   (NOBLE is a double meaning, as in Noble, Oklahoma the town)

now, as to the tailings dump - i found out by watching the FLUORIDE - POISON ON TAP documentary, also offered on youtube - that one of the places they mine for phosphate is in Florida, and they use fluoride there ... anyway, the toxicity of the waste water is such that it eats through the limestone and the Gigantic slurry pond dumped through and INTO Florida's aquifer.  I don't recall the exact amount,  but it is a lot.  And so, if you live in Florida, of visit Florida, get ready for some super healthy TEETH  / SSSSS SARC.   Watch the documentary.  Tell your dentist to watch it. 

 

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:58 | 6958192 BullyBearish
BullyBearish's picture

and a glass of Christmas milk for whomever can name the IMF representative already there with loan docs in hand for the next damn dam...

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:28 | 6958102 MrNosey
MrNosey's picture

Ban everything that causes death.....oh that's what they intend to do once they have taken away all the guns!

Human extinction: because life = death......yes ban it, life is dangerous!

http://beforeitsnews.com/conspiracy-theories/2015/12/the-fix-is-in-franc...

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 19:19 | 6958264 Baby Bladeface
Baby Bladeface's picture

Would settle for ban link spammers who participate to the discussion never at all...

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 22:08 | 6958823 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

Ewe knead too yous gooder inglish.  

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 19:26 | 6958291 stacking12321
stacking12321's picture

stop spamming with your crap links to your crap website, it sucks and you suck!

 

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 22:05 | 6958810 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

"Before It's News" - The paragon of truth on the web.  They wouldn't print their "Breaking" and "Shocking" "News" if it wasn't true!!

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 02:33 | 6959420 SixIsNinE
SixIsNinE's picture

well, Mr Nosey has been giving us the 2030 Agenda Goals.  That is a very real deal - the Pope was just here in September to announce it.  They're going for it.  15 years.  No personal cars. 

All kinds of stuff that we should be concerned about.  So, thus, for that I thank Mr Nosey - UN AGenda 2030 is a real deal. 

Like CISA is a real deal.  TPP is a real deal.  FCC now able to regulate internet is a real deal.  (it's now a UTILITY and as such is subject now to FCC's tax & regulate)

So, before you blast Before It's News completely, there is some real deal info there.  And, I have heard the founder interviewed on RedIce and he's a pretty cool dude, and is offering private email/ domain, i think .. is it the .is for island? something like that...

anyway, the US is about to get Kim Dotcom extradited ... he's going to appeal ... but you gotta bet this whole thing has cost him a boatload of fiatskis .... how about a GoFundDotCom globbal for intertubes freedom !?

 

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 20:05 | 6958428 lincolnsteffens
lincolnsteffens's picture

There is a Pedestrian Lives Matter rally scheduled. I'm thinking about flying out there. I wonder if any Blacks were injured or if it was predominantly white folks that were the target . Obama should get on TV to condemn this but I know he looks down on sidewalkers.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 22:02 | 6958770 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

Obama should get on TV to condemn this but I know he looks down on sidewalkers.

 

I think your info is wrong there . . . Obummer just said on teevee that he really liked Start Wars and he was a big fan of Luke Sidewalker.

Oh! Big Wand! - "Luke, beware of the dark force of the SUV".

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 02:03 | 6959375 garypaul
garypaul's picture

Looney, I don't usually bother to respond to idiocy, but about your "demands for background checks on car buyers" etc:

don't you need a licence to drive? Don't you have to pass tests to get a licence? Don't you lose your right to drive if you screw up? Since only criminals steal cars, why should anyone have to get a licence?, etc. etc.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:17 | 6958068 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

3 dump trucks vs 3 million dump trucks... at this point what difference does it make?  

Today one could very well be able to rob the FRBNY of all its gold and fit that gold into 14 dump trucks, instead of several thousand dump trucks...

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 19:01 | 6958204 Brooks_Orpington
Brooks_Orpington's picture

It's like a million times more, I think.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 21:50 | 6958751 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

It's like a million times more, I think.

 

I bet you went to Haavard, Yale or MIT . . . .

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 02:38 | 6959425 SixIsNinE
SixIsNinE's picture

a name like Brooks Orpington, a fella with that pedigree i'm sure has legacy connections from Dartmouth to Eton ....

probably born with 5 silver spoons in his hand and 5 golden forks !

Let us know when you want to sponsor a Zero Campout Brooks :)

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 05:45 | 6959556 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

Google is your friend, ask for help...

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 09:47 | 6959851 SixIsNinE
SixIsNinE's picture

ok, just for you Urban

/s     for the above cocky post

 

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:11 | 6958046 ali-ali-al-qomfri
ali-ali-al-qomfri's picture

as clean as the olympic swimming poo.......the L is silent.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:12 | 6958052 MoHillbilly
MoHillbilly's picture

I'm thinking a new combo Rowing/Bobsledding event for the Olympics

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 21:48 | 6958743 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

How about turd netting??

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:25 | 6958092 BlindMonkey
BlindMonkey's picture

The solution to polution is dilution.  Rock on.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 20:26 | 6958502 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

You didn't dump that....

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:40 | 6958143 ZombieHuntclub
ZombieHuntclub's picture

Poor Brazil. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of dirty assholes. 

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 18:59 | 6958195 Make_Mine_A_Double
Make_Mine_A_Double's picture

And on top of that they have a plague of Zika Virus across the land.

Symptons include fever, rash, headaches, joint pains and vomiting that can last a week and is fatal to infants.

And if your not comfortable going to Brazil you can just visit your local Shitpoltees and have the burrito.

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 01:15 | 6959309 DirkDiggler11
DirkDiggler11's picture

I have to give credit to Shitpoltee for one thing, at least they have been about the only voice in the Restaurant or even food industry attempting to get away from GMO grown food. You don't hear a single chain besides them even starting the conversation. I've had 3 of their burritos in my life, but there are a few things to admire about the company.

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 09:46 | 6959847 SixIsNinE
SixIsNinE's picture

there are Theorists who contend that this is a prime example of a case of industrial sabotage - after Chipotle comes out publicly that they won't use GMO junk in their food, they come down with multiple happenings of e-coli incidents - coinkidinks?

MonSatan

 

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 19:19 | 6958263 supersajin
supersajin's picture

Brazil 2016 The Olympics of piss & shit

Japan 2020 The Olympics of ...

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 21:46 | 6958740 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

Japan 2020 The Olympics of ...

 

Hair, finger nails and teeth falling out.

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 02:40 | 6959426 SixIsNinE
SixIsNinE's picture

and thyroids .... thyroids ... yes ,, they will have to be removed

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 01:13 | 6959306 Barrack Chavez
Barrack Chavez's picture

Japan has had zero interest rates, crony deficit spending, corrupt politicians, and staggering debt increases for 28+ years...

And they did a heck of a job digging a hole so their nuclear plant would be below the line of sight. Can't let fear of a tsunami mess with ocean views.

Time to move the Olympics back to Athens where the costs of the games ran the city into bankruptcy (again).

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 19:23 | 6958277 WTFUD
WTFUD's picture

If you close your eyes you can pretend it never happened. Same applies to all the sludge swirling around in the financial system. Toxic.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 19:39 | 6958362 o r c k
o r c k's picture

See Some Sludge  Shit Some Sludge

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 21:41 | 6958722 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

See Some Sludge  Shit Some Sludge . . .

 

Reminds me of the "sludge" below the "outhouses" in the ghettos in India.  I can't remember the name of the movie from a few years ago but the main character (a kid) falls in and gets covered with it before meeting some of TPTB there in his town.  Pretty hilarious . . .

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 19:54 | 6958399 grunk
grunk's picture

"Noxious Mud."

Sounds like a punk band.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 20:15 | 6958466 SmedleyButlersGhost
SmedleyButlersGhost's picture

Shit happens

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 21:36 | 6958700 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

Shit happens . . .

 

And then you die.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 20:33 | 6958520 poland spring
poland spring's picture

I just have a weird feeling that Mother Nature is going to spank us pretty hard.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 20:55 | 6958584 rsnoble
rsnoble's picture

Never heard about this thx for the link.

 

Also........................Bad Brazil!  No carbon tax credits for you, you start in the negatives!

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 20:56 | 6958587 rsnoble
rsnoble's picture

Oh yeah, the bhp shit.

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 21:09 | 6958624 NoWayJose
NoWayJose's picture

Raise your prices and charge more for exotic mud baths!

When life gives you mud - make mud baths!

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 21:30 | 6958669 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

Olympians will be forced to deal with some rather unpleasant circumstances including a lack of air conditioning and television in Olympic village and feces-ridden water.

 

Brazilian Olympic Committee:  "Just tell them those long brown things floating in the water are Snickers or Mars bars without their wrappers and the people had to throw them out because they were melting due to the lack of air conditioning".

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 21:42 | 6958726 squid
squid's picture

2016 Olympics, the first to be cancelled?

 

Odds?

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 06:14 | 6959568 smacker
smacker's picture

Cancellation has to be unlikely as it would virtually trash any credibility that Rousseff.gov has left. I believe she would find the money for it even if it meant dipping into her sacred socialist welfare programs.

Then again, Brazil is Brasil and anything can happen.

 

Brazil won't improve until powerful corporate control & influence over government policy is removed and socialist economics is abandoned.

 

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 23:45 | 6959118 Thunderbox
Thunderbox's picture

I don't know. Kinda looks like Hitlary had some kind of "accident" while wading in the surf.

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 10:13 | 6959929 Skiprrrdog
Skiprrrdog's picture

Hitlery schlonged Brazil...

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 01:23 | 6959319 DrZipp
DrZipp's picture

How does a thread on Brazil and beaches not have some large breasted clickbait in it? Goddamit ZH if I am expected to care about smething completely perpheral to my cushy existence far away and it deals with Sweden, Puerto Rico or Brazil if better have some hot chicks in the post or fuck it.  WHat a waste of a click. Fuck.

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 08:48 | 6959726 22winmag
22winmag's picture

If this happened in America the mud would have the EPA stamp of approval.

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