Scientists raise concerns regarding the exact makeup of the bunker fuel that leaked into the waters of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, reports Ship & Bunker.
Island of Mauritius fuel spill
Concerns have been raised as to the exact makeup of the bunker fuel that leaked from the Wakashio into the waters of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.
The shipping company involved in the spill is working to remove oil along an 18-mile segment of coastline.
Scientists raise concerns
However, scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have found the spilled fuel oil comprises a complex and unusual mix of hydrocarbons.
According to WHOI scientist Chris Reddy, fuel oils are the most challenging petroleum products to analyse and investigate following marine-based spills.
“There is no single recipe or set of ingredients, and it gets even more complicated with these new low-sulfur fuel oils that require more steps in their manufacture.”
“We don’t know if this was a low-sulfur material, but it’s unlike anything we’ve seen spilled before – that alone demands a closer look.”
Fresh sample of fuel
WHOI scientists have called for a fresh sample of bunker fuel to be taken from the ship for analysis, according to the Independent report.
For more information read our article Mauritius Disaster Ship Last Refueled in Singapore, Trouble in Fuel
Around 1,000 metric tonnes of bunker fuel left the Wakashio when it ran aground off the coast of Mauritius in July.
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Source: Ship & Bunker
