An extensive oil spill in Ecuador’s Esmeraldas province has severely affected local rivers and wildlife, impacting over half a million residents. The rupture of a state-operated pipeline led to the contamination, prompting authorities to declare an environmental emergency. Cleanup efforts are underway as the situation poses a substantial threat to aquatic life and the ecosystem.
A significant oil spill has occurred in the Ecuadorian Amazon, specifically in the Esmeraldas province, severely affecting multiple rivers and a vital wildlife refuge. According to Petroamazonas, the state-owned oil company, the incident transpired on March 13 when a rupture in a 500-kilometer pipeline caused crude oil to flow downstream for over 80 kilometers to the Pacific Ocean. This spill poses a risk to more than half a million residents.
Witness reports describe a dramatic eruption of oil resembling a ‘geyser’ lasting up to seven hours. Eduardo Rebolledo Monsalve, a marine biologist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, confirmed that the southern shore of the Esmeraldas River is saturated with oil, causing two tributaries, the Viche and Caple rivers, to become anoxic, devoid of oxygen. He anticipates a temporary loss of aquatic life, with potential long-term effects lasting around three years.
In response to the crisis, local authorities declared an environmental emergency on March 14. Esmeraldas’ mayor, Vicko Villacis, noted the unprecedented ecological damage caused by the disaster. While Petroecuador continues to assess the full extent of the spill, it is known that the affected pipeline usually transports up to 360,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
At the Esmeraldas River Estuary Mangrove Wildlife Refuge, the oil spill has damaged mangrove channels, endangering various species, including the South American coati and blue crab. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition has called for volunteers and NGOs to assist in the cleanup and recovery. It has mandated Petroecuador to initiate immediate containment and remediation efforts and activated emergency conservation funds.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern; between 2005 and 2022, Ecuador recorded over 1,496 oil spills, with 93% occurring in the Amazon region, according to the environmental group Amazon Frontlines.
The oil spill in Ecuador’s Amazon represents a severe ecological disaster affecting wildlife and community health. Immediate government and community responses are underway to address the environmental impact. This incident underscores the ongoing risk of oil spills in the region, highlighting the necessity for enhanced safety measures and environmental protection efforts. Continued monitoring and recovery are essential to mitigate the long-term effects on the ecosystem.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
