Repeated emissions of oil products from sunken tankers are being recorded in the Black and Azov Seas, which continues to worsen the environmental situation in the region. Clumps of fuel oil rise from the bottom to the surface, creating new foci of pollution. Experts warn that the fight against the consequences of the accident may drag on until at least the summer, Izvestia reports.
According to Igor Shkradyuk, coordinator of the industrial greening program at the Wildlife Conservation Center, repeated emissions of fuel oil are associated with fuel leaks from sunken parts of tankers that have not yet been completely cleaned.
"Satellite images show that fuel oil continues to leak, especially from the tanker Volgoneft-239, which sank near the shore," - he noted.
The ecologist stressed that the situation will worsen with the increase in water temperature, which will increase the pushing of fuel residues from the bottom.
Vladimir Kalyaev, head of the Skoltech development projects group, who is participating in the rescue operation, confirmed that the contaminated water area covers a significant area. In some areas, the consequences of the accident were not eliminated due to inaccessibility, while in others, repeated emissions are recorded. He also noted that large accumulations of fuel oil are found at a depth of up to 150 meters.
The situation requires coordination of efforts by multiple agencies and international support. Experts emphasize that in order to effectively combat pollution, it is necessary to focus on pumping out the remaining fuel from sunken ships, using modern technologies to clean up the water area and preventing further environmental disasters.
The authorities have already brought in specialized environmental services and rescue teams to minimize the consequences. However, according to environmentalists, eliminating pollution of this scale is a complex and long-term process.