ELSA 3 sinking affected marine life, water quality along south-east Arabian Sea: Report, Pg8.

Key Highlights:

• The MSC ELSA 3, a Liberian-flagged container vessel, sank off the Kerala coast on May 25 causing ecological disruption.
• A report by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) indicates the leakage from the ship has impacted the south-eastern Arabian Sea's water quality and marine life.
• The investigation has revealed the presence of compounds like naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene, and pyrene near the wreck site.
• Marine experts are advocating for sealing the wreck's fuel compartment and long-term monitoring of impacted regions.

Detailed Insights:

• The MSC ELSA 3, a 28-year-old vessel, capsized approximately 25 km southwest of Alappuzha while sailing from Vizhinjam port to Kochi.
• Research cruise on-board Fishery Oceanographic Research Vessel (FORV) Sagar Sampada was deployed from June 2-12, covering 23 sampling locations between Kochi and Kanyakumari coasts.
• Elevated levels of naphthalene and higher concentrations of trace metals like nickel, lead, copper, and vanadium confirm hydrocarbon and heavy-metal pollution.
• Zooplankton contained high levels of petroleum-derived pollutants, raising concerns about bio-accumulation and transfer of pollutants through the food web.
• The incident's impact was visible on early life stages of fish, coinciding with the fish breeding period before the southwest monsoon.
• A Brown Noddy seabird was observed taking shelter on the wreck, exhibiting behavior indicative of oil contamination.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Naphthalene: A volatile aromatic hydrocarbon found in crude oil and coal tar, known for its toxicity.
• Fluorene: A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that is a component of coal tar and crude oil.
• Anthracene: A solid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) consisting of three fused benzene rings.
• Pyrene: A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) with four fused benzene rings, commonly found in coal tar and combustion products.