Heavy fuel oil on the shores of Odesa: ecologists took samples for analysis.

Specialists from the State Ecological Inspection conducted a study of the Black Sea coast in Odesa and found pollution resembling heavy fuel oil. Samples of seawater and soil from the contaminated area were taken for laboratory research, reported the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine on January 24.

The pollution was found in the recreational area 'Katranka' in the territory of the Lyman community in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district. The black substance appears as clumps measuring 0.5-5 cm, similar to petroleum products, noted the Ministry of Environment.

Based on data from eco-inspectors, the line of polluted coastline has the following characteristics:

• width - 1.5-2 meters;
• length - approximately 1.5 km;
• located 24 meters from the sea.

To determine the presence of petroleum products, specialists from the eco-inspection took samples of seawater and soil.

Commission meeting and further actions

On January 27, a commission meeting on technogenic-ecological safety and emergencies will be held at the Odesa Regional State Administration, where the results of the preliminary actions will be discussed and further measures to eliminate the consequences of the pollution will be planned.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has appealed to relevant agencies, including the 'Administration of Seaports of Ukraine', to coordinate efforts to localize the potential spread of heavy fuel oil in the sea waters. The Shipping Administration confirmed that special oil-waste collection means of the AMPU marine fleet will be utilized.

Let us remind you that on January 10, birds contaminated with heavy fuel oil were found in the 'Tuzlivski Lymany' national park. This is a consequence of the spillage of petroleum products due to tanker accidents in the Kerch Strait. This was reported by biologist Ivan Rusyev, a research fellow at the park.

Heavy fuel oil may reach the Odesa coast

On December 15, due to a storm in the Kerch Strait, two Russian tankers - 'Volgoneft-212' and 'Volgoneft-239' sank. 8.6 thousand tons of heavy fuel oil entered the sea. According to ecologists and military personnel, the stain may reach the shores of Odesa and Mykolaiv regions as early as this month.

Ecologist Vladyslav Balinsky stated that the heavy fuel oil that entered the Black Sea could soon, and in some cases even very soon, reach the shores of Odesa.

It has also become known that the pollution cannot be eliminated until it reaches the land.