Fuel oil spill in the Kerch Strait poses a threat to unique natural areas

Due to the accident of the Russian tankers Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 in the Kerch Strait, a large amount of fuel oil was released into the sea. Part of the fuel oil has already reached the shores of Russia near Anapa, but a significant portion remained in the sunken vessel and continues to leak into the water. The Ministry of the Environment writes about it, reports UNN. 

Details

The fuel oil is concentrated in the Kerch Strait area, but is gradually moving eastward, further into the Black Sea. On December 25, the direction of movement is expected to change to the northwest, which could pose a threat to the southern coast of Crimea.

There is also a risk that the fuel oil will reach the Azov Sea, depending on weather conditions and currents.

Consequences for nature

The fuel oil spill poses a threat to unique natural areas such as the Opuk Nature Reserve and the Cape Takil Landscape Park in Crimea.

The extent of the pollution is difficult to assess, as it is not known how much fuel oil is left in the ship and how fast it is leaking. This makes it difficult to predict the environmental consequences.

The situation is being monitored, but the pollution is already damaging the Black Sea ecosystem.

Recall

In the Kerch Strait , the accident of two Russian tankers resulted in the death of a sailor, the evacuation of 12 crew members, and an oil spill. 

The accident of Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait caused the formation of a fuel oil slick that has already affected 160 km of the Russian coast. Environmentalists warn that the pollution could reach the Ukrainian coast and lead to massive deaths of marine life. 

Subsequently it became knownthat a fuel oil discharge from the wrecked Volgoneft tankers was detected on the Kerch Peninsula.