Remnants of VLSFO Oil Spill Continue to Affect Mauritius Mangroves
Research from Curtin University has revealed that remnants of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) from the MV Wakashio spill continue to affect mangrove forests in Mauritius nearly three years after the incident. The study confirms the presence of the oil and raises concerns regarding its long-term impact on the environment. Dr. Alan Scarlett emphasized the importance of recognizing this contamination for both local communities and broader ecological understanding.
Three years following the grounding of the MV Wakashio cargo ship, which resulted in a loss of 1,000 tons of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) off the coast of Mauritius, research spearheaded by Curtin University has unveiled that remnants of the oil persist in nearby mangrove forests. This area is crucial for environmental conservation, being in proximity to Ramsar sites.
Dr. Alan Scarlett, the primary researcher from Curtin University’s WA Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Center, indicated that the oil’s chemical signature found in the mangrove sediments aligns closely with the VLSFO spilled in the incident, marking the first recorded spill of such fuel.
“Local communities in Mauritius have been aware of oil contamination in the mangrove wetlands since the Wakashio spill, but no official confirmation had been made regarding the source,” stated Dr. Scarlett. He emphasized the necessity of acknowledging this contamination for the local population and the broader ecological community, as the behavior of this new marine fuel type post-spill is not well understood.
The research involved extensive chemical analysis of samples from various mangrove sites, including a control site presumed unaffected by the spill. “We confirmed the reference site was free of oil contamination, while another site contained oil originating from the Wakashio’s fuel tanks,” Dr. Scarlett reported.
The study revealed that the oil had significantly weathered and biodegraded since the incident, consequently reducing the toxicity of many of its compounds. Nonetheless, the remaining oil poses an undefined risk to the ecologically sensitive mangroves.
Dr. Scarlett’s team, in collaboration with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, utilized a unique chemical fingerprint from the spilled oil to validate its presence in the sediment samples. They also compared the behavior of the VLSFO with that of conventional heavy fuel oils, applying models developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s oil spill scenario tool, WebGNOME-ADIOS.
The research suggested that the VLSFO from the Wakashio was more likely to evaporate, disperse, or sink compared to traditional fuels. However, accurately assessing the impact on local organisms remains a substantial challenge.
The findings from this study underscore the enduring environmental impact of the Wakashio oil spill, with VLSFO remnants still evident in Mauritius’ mangrove ecosystems nearly three years post-incident. This research highlights the necessity for ongoing monitoring of oil spills involving new types of marine fuels, as their long-term effects on sensitive environments remain inadequately understood. The acknowledgement of these findings is crucial for local communities and enhances the global understanding of marine fuel behavior following spills.
Original Source: www.marinelink.com
