No New Hydrogen Sulfide Problems At Sinkhole Site

BAYOU CORNE, La. (AP) — Authorities report no new problems with poisonous hydrogen sulfide gas near a large sinkhole in Assumption Parish.

A relief well near the sinkhole was shut down after hydrogen sulfide emissions were detected. However, The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/TThqaG ) that no similar problems have been found in testing of four other wells. That word came from a scientist for Shaw Environmental.

Gary Hecox said in a blog post Thursday that researchers found no detectable hydrogen sulfide concentrations in gas being flared from two relief wells. The other two relief wells had low concentrations of the gas, consistent with a swamp environment.

The sinkhole led to evacuation of about 150 homes in the Bayou Corne area. Scientists believe a salt cavern from which a company had been extracting brine failed, causing the sinkhole.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com