Research News

East China Sea Oil Slick Triples in Size, Endangers Whales

Chinese authorities say satellite data shows that three oil slicks from a sunken Iranian tanker have widened to an area totaling about 332 sq km. The largest single slick measured about 328 sq km. Overall, the spill off China’s east coast has more than tripled in size in just over a week since the Iranian tanker ship sank in a ball of flames.

The area where the ship went down is an important spawning ground for species like the swordtip squid and wintering ground for species like the yellow croaker fish and blue crab, among others. It is also on the migratory pathway of marine mammals such as humpback and grey whales.

Undersea robots sent to inspect the wreckage have located a triangle-shaped hole stretching 35 metres in the sunken vessel, China’s Transport Ministry said, but authorities have not yet said how they can seal it. Bad weather was expected to hamper the clean-up effort, with a cold front predicted to create waves up to 3.5 metres high.

The Sanchi, which was carrying 136,000 tonnes of light crude oil from Iran, collided with Hong Kong-registered bulk freighter the CF Crystal in early January, setting off a desperate race by authorities to search for survivors and stave off an environmental catastrophe. The bodies of only three of the ship’s 30 Iranian and two Bangladeshi crew members have been found.

The type of condensate oil carried by the Sanchi does not form a traditional surface slick when spilled but is nonetheless highly toxic to marine life and much harder to separate from water. The cargo amounted to nearly one million barrels of oil. Chinese coastguard vessels are assessing the spill, China’s Oceanic Administration said.

For the latest on this unfolding story, click here.

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