Following the latest oil spill suspected to be from MV Rak, heaps of garbage and plastic bags strewn across the Juhu beach have reportedly compounded the environmental problems
Following the latest oil spill suspected to be from MV Rak, heaps of garbage and plastic bags strewn across the Juhu beach have reportedly compounded the environmental problems.
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If oil makes it to the polythene bags, it will be difficult to get rid of it, say experts. 
Dr Jiyalal Ram Jaiswar of NIO collects samples of the soil,
marine flora and fauna at Juhu beach to study the impact
of the oil spill
Over 100 metric tonnes of oil has reportedly contaminated the waters after the merchant vessel sank 20 nautical miles off the Mumbai coast.
Coast Guard officials revealed that a cross section of 9x1 km of the sea has been affected by the oil spill. The heaping piles of waste make clean-up operations imperative.
Highlighting environmental hazards, marine biologist Deepak Apte, who is also the assistant director of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), said, "The oil surfacing on the sea will have both short- and long-term repercussions on marine ecosystems. But, it is too premature to comment on the exact nature of the impact.
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Moreover, if the oil seeps into plastic bags, other garbage, sand or rocks, removing it will be tough, and until then, the ecosystem will suffer. Overall, the impact will be manageable."
Tests on
Meanwhile, senior scientist from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dr Jiyalal Ram Jaiswar, who is heading the team studying the Mumbai harbour oil spill, said, "We have collected samples to study the impact of the oil spill on water quality, sediment quality, flora and fauna. Samples have been collected from Juhu, Sewree, Trombay and Khar Dhanda."
He said that he inspected the oil-contaminated area in Khar Dhanda. "The report will be ready within a week and the detailed analytical findings will be submitted to the NIO Director, who will send it to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and other agencies."
Which boat?
About the exact source of the spill, Jaisawar said, "The NIO has not been able to ascertain the exact source, since it's not clear if there were any leaks from MV Pavit or MV Rak." MV Rak belongs to the shipping company GSA Qatar.
Slippery Terrain
On Tuesday, Coast Guard ships Sankalp, Samudra Prahari, Amrit Kaur and Aircraft continued to monitor the oil pollution, even asu00a0 Helicopters undertook aerial assessment of the extent of the pollution.
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Ships sprayed Oil Spill Dispersant (OSD) in heavily affected areas to neutralise oil patches and bring the situation under control.
According to Coast Guard officials, over 2,600 litres of OSD has been used. A senior coast guard official said that the cost incurred for cleaning operations would be taken from the owner company.
9x1 km
The cross-section of the sea water that has been affected by the oil spillu00a0
100
Metric tonnes of oil that has contaminated the sea
2,600
Litres of Oil Spill Dispersant that has been used in the area
20
Distance in nautical miles from the Mumbai coast at which MV RaK sank
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