M. V. sea transporter oil spill and its environmental impact assessment

Abstract

On 5 June 1994, ore carrier M.V. Sea Transporter, was drifted to Sinquerim-Goa coast from Mormugao harbour in the squall that hit the Goa coast and grounded on the rocks, a few metres from the Sinquerim beach. The ship carried about 1000 tonnes of residual oil. On 2 July 1994, due to gusty winds, a crack was developed on the starboard side, thus spilling oil from the ship. The amount of oil spilled was estimated around 2 tonnes. A team of scientists from National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Goa, carried out a survey in the spill area to study the eventual environmental impact. The observations were carried out in the spill area and adjacent regions between 4 and 29 July 1994. Observations were made on oil-slicks, tar residues, petroleum hydrocarbons in water and beach sand, bacteria, phytoplankton, chlorophyll a zooplankton and benthic meiofauna.