State Inspectorate finds out the origin of stains on Odesa beaches

The State Ecological Inspectorate of the Southwestern District has suggested that the stains of unknown origin found on Odesa beaches may be oil residues.

This was reported by the press service of the inspectorate.

According to the inspectorate, after the discovery of spots of unknown origin on Odesa beaches, state inspectors went to the site and took sea water samples directly from the contaminated area. The samples were sent to a laboratory to determine the composition of the substance and assess the level of pollution.

Based on visual signs and a characteristic smell, experts assume the presence of sunflower oil residues that got into the sea after the destruction of the tank in the Black Sea port on April 26.

The inspectorate is recording the extent of the pollution, calculating the environmental damage, and continuing to monitor the situation on the coast.

Meanwhile, the area of sea pollution by oil that leaked from the damaged tanks in late April in the northwestern part of the Black Sea has rapidly increased from tens to hundreds of square kilometers. Satellite imagery on April 29 showed that the slick had expanded dramatically and moved toward the coast of Odesa, covering more and more water.

Earlier, on Sentinel-1 radar images, the slick was still pressed against the coast between Chornomorsk and Odesa, with a length of about 35.7 km. However, after the weather conditions changed, the situation deteriorated sharply.

According to ecologist Vladyslav Balinsky, it was the third such oil leak into the Black Sea, and most likely seahorses will be the next to be fatally affected.

On the night of May 3, Odesa region once again became the target of Russian drone attacks, killing two people and injuring five others. In Odesa district, enemy drones hit three residential buildings, and two more were damaged. Port infrastructure facilities and equipment were also damaged. The fires have been extinguished by rescuers. As a result of the Russian strike on the port of Chornomorsk in Odesa region on May 3, Kernel's vegetable oil transshipment terminal was damaged and more than 1,100 tons of products were leaked. The company noted that the drone hit the tank directly, but the leak was localized and the oil did not get into the sea, so there is no threat to the environment.

Кирило Бойко