Mystery sinkhole to be checked for radioactivity

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Officials say they will test a large sinkhole in Assumption Parish for signs of naturally occurring radiation.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality said the slurry hole near Bayou Corne is near areas that have been used for oil and gas exploration. Low levels of radioactivity may be remaining from the work, though not at harmful levels, officials say.

Department spokesman Rodney Mallett says such material tends to accumulate in low levels on equipment used to drill for oil and gas.

Scientists say the sinkhole might be related to brine contained in an underground salt cavern owned by Houston-based Texas Brine Co.

Investigations continue at the site.