19 June 2021.
Introduction:
Oil spill from Haldia-bound Portuguese flag container ship keeps the Indian Coast Guard on the vigil.
Highlights:
- Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Colombo notified about mid-sea oil spill about 450 kms South East of Chennai.
- Portuguese flag Container ship MV Devon developed an underwater crack in fuel tank on passage from Colombo to Haldia, West Bengal.
- Tank was containing about 120 KL of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil.
- Crack resulted in spillage of about 10 KL of oil into sea before preventive action was taken.
- Vessel was carrying 10,795 tonnes of general cargo in 382 containers and manned by 17 crew.
What is Oil Spill?
- Oil spill can be defined as “uncontrolled release of crude oil, gasoline, fuels, or other oil by-products” into environment. It can pollute land, air, or water; however, the term is mostly used for oceanic oil spills.
- They have become a major environmental hazard because of intensified petroleum exploration & production on continental shelves and transportation of huge amounts of oils in vessels.
Impact of Oil spills
- In ocean, oil spills are harmful to aquatic life as it prevents sunlight from penetrating into sea and reduces dissolved oxygen level.
- Crude oil damages insulating and waterproofing properties of feathers and fur of birds. Thus, it can decrease body temperature to below-normal levels.
- Oil spills can damage habitat and reproductive rate of animals.