Southern China's Guangdong Province began on Friday to purify the polluted Beijiang River, hoping to dilute the excessive cadmium.

The plan was launched in the river section in Yingde City under supervision of local experts by adding iron or aluminium polymer at the upper reaches of the river to induce cadmium sedimentation.

The toxic stretch, resultant from excessive cadmium discharges from a smelting works in Shaoguan city on Dec. 15, has polluted the Beijiang River in the province.

The measure is the most economical and reasonable choice to deal with the cadmium pollution, said experts, adding that 1,200 tons of such component can reduce the toxic density by 30 percent.

The move is expected to ensure a safe water quality at the lower reaches of the river, said experts.

The downstream cities of Guangzhou and Foshan have launched emergency plans to ensure safe drinking water supplies to their residents as the toxic stretch approaches.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2005)