The
brand-new Container ship, MV X-press pearl caught fire off the cost of Colombo
on 20th of May, and it was engulfed in flames by 27 May. After burning for 12
days, the vessel sank on 2nd June. This navel accident caused a massive damage
on Sri Lankan coastal line, marine habitat and its bio diversity, marine
fisheries, as well as the entire atmosphere due to smoke from the fire.
This ship
was carrying 1486 containers including 81 containers with toxic chemicals, 25
tons of nitric acid and 78 tons of plastic pellets. Due to fire, some of them
were destroyed, while some fell in to the ocean. However, almost a month has
passed, now the memory of the tragedy is disappearing from our minds as well as
beach cleaning using primitive mechanisms also almost over. However still dead
bodies of fishes and turtles are washing up to the beach as well as some debris
from the ship. Practically we can’t clean the ocean water, because due to its
volume, it is not practical. But it is possible to clean the beach and ocean surface
in case of oil spill.
For beach cleaning, we can use modern beach
cleaning machines, which are more effective from labor and time consuming.
 |
| A modern beach cleaning machine |
 |
| The basic mechanism |
Removing oil spills from open ocean.
The
floating barriers as below are used to prevent oil spreading on water. Then
using a pump or surface skimmer, this oil can be removed.
Written by : W.M.P. Manukularathne
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