Brazil beaches sullied by oily sludge

The thick petroleumsludgethat has been mysteriously washing up onbeachesinBrazilfor more than a month struck the popular tourist spot of Porto de Galinhas in Pernambuco state on October 19.

Normally known for its beautiful sand, palm trees andpristinetidal pools, the resort area wassulliedby anoilysludgeand locals scrambled to clean up the mess.

Reports of the oil spill emerged late last month.Brazil's environmental agency Ibama has reported that an analysis of a vast oil spill along the country's northeasternbeachesshowed the spilt crude did not originate in the country.

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On October 09,Brazilian Environment Minister Ricardo Salles said thesludgewas "very likely from Venezuela," citing a report by state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA.