Without bathing in the sea and fish for dinner: how Russian fuel fuel threatened the coast of Odessa region
On December 15, 2024, two Russian tankers split in half in the Kerch Strait as a result of a storm. This led to a leak from 2400 to 8500 tons of fuel oil, which was planned to be exported to India. On January 24, it became known that this fuel oil also reached the coast of Odessa region. Currently, contamination has been found more than a kilometer. Focus tells about the threat and environmental consequences for the region.
Natalia Gozak, GreenPis Director of the GreenPis Office, told focus that the greatest risks of this fuel oil spill are observed in the region where it occurred, that is, south of the Kerch Strait. The coast of Crimea and the Russian shores were most affected. "For Odessa, we do not expect a significant load due to remoteness, but some exposure is still possible. Fueling is a toxic substance that has a serious effect on living organisms.
Birds and cetaceous, in particular dolphins, which we have already observed among the victims, are first affected. Also affected Organisms, because the fuel oil is a heavy fraction of petroleum products, which quickly settles on the bottom, mixing with bottom sediment. According to the expert, the elimination of consequences can last for decades. Approximately it will take 10-12 years. This is due to the properties of fuel oil, which is stored for a long time in the environment.
This is especially difficult in cold temperature: the fuel oil is settled, mixed with bottom precipitate or sand and creates a toxic mixture that remains in nature for a long time. But it is difficult to predict something without official research and reports. However, the residents of the region where the pollution of the shores with this fuel oil will need extremely cautious in warm weather - the beach season. "In warm water, fuel oil becomes less dense and dissolves more.
Toxic substances can cause skin reactions in people who come in contact with contaminated water. This is a threat that can be stored for more than one summer season. At first glance, the beach or coast may look clean but but The fuel oil often penetrates the soil or sand. How dangerous for humans it depends on the concentration of pollution, and this issue requires experts.
Because the fuel oil spill is far, the risks are much lower for Odessa, the expert emphasizes, but the contamination is uneven. In some areas, the pollution level can be high and in others it is almost absent. Therefore, detailed measurements should be made to determine where it is dangerous to swim and where the water is safe. The contamination does not evenly cover the sea, but forms local cells.
In the affected region, from the Anapa to the Kerch Strait, the scale of contamination is so significant that biologists believe that this coast will no longer become resort, and if it becomes, only after the collapse of Russia. For Eastern Crimea and adjacent territories, the consequences will be felt for decades. Pollution has a cumulative effect: heavy metals and toxic organic compounds penetrate the food chain, starting with aquatic organisms.
People who consume local fish and seafood gradually accumulate these harmful substances. Over time, the concentration of toxins in the body increases, and heavy metals that are not excreted can cause serious poisoning. "These are already a question for doctors who deal with similar toxic effects. However, avoiding such pollution is critical for the health of the local population," - summarizes GreenPis Director of the GreenPis Office.
Environmental activist, journalist and researcher Yevgeny Simonov disassembled the catastrophic situation that occurred after spilling with Russian tankers. According to his observations, oil pollution in the Kerch Strait and the adjacent waters of the Black and Azov seas happened this year. On the contrary, it had a chronic nature long before the start of a full -scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine.
Monitoring in 2017–2021 showed that the surface of the Kerch Strait was highly contaminated with oil: almost 2600 oil spots with a total area of 1107 square meters were found in 460 satellite images. km. The main sources of contamination are the places of transshipment of cargoes, the port of Taman and anchor parking lot before entering the Strait. In addition, the region has natural outputs of oil, which also affect the ecosystem. The main cause of pollution is active navigation.
Every year, more than 20,000 vessels pass through the Strait, mainly freight. Much of the tankers that transport oil and petroleum products for Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. In 2024, the volume of transportation of bulk cargo in the region reached 133 million tons. The greatest threat is the passage of oil from a ship to a ship, often related to leaks. The construction of the Kerch Bridge in 2015–2019 further complicated the situation.
His dam was narrowing the strait, forcing the vessels to maneuver between the supports, which increases the risks of contamination and complicates water purification. After the capture of Crimea, Russia has significantly increased its activity in the region, which contributed to the contamination of the Azov and Black Seas with oil products. Satellite images show numerous cases of oil spill, in particular after rocket attacks on Chernomorsknaftogaz drilling platforms in June 2022.
The risks of accidents on vessels have also increased. During the war, about a hundred vessels, military and civilians were damaged or drowning. In particular, after flooding the cruiser "Moscow", a large amount of fuel remained at a 50-meter depth, which can be dangerous in the future. The oil film formed after flooding of ships has covered large areas of Ukraine's naval reserves.