(CFP)

Firemen dump neutralizers into a pool at a hydropower station at the upper reaches of the Longjiang River to dissolve contaminants found in the river on January 30.

The river, which flows through Hechi, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, was found to contain excessive cadmium levels in mid-January. Cadmium, a chemical that is mostly found in industrial effluent, is a known carcinogen. More water is being discharged from the station to dilute the pollution, and neutralizers, such as activated carbon, quick lime and aluminum chloride, have been dumped into the water to mitigate the damage.