A significant oil spill in Ecuador’s Amazon has polluted rivers and a vital wildlife refuge, affecting over 500,000 residents. A rupture in a Petroecuador pipeline allowed crude oil to flow downstream, with local authorities declaring an environmental emergency. The spill causes severe harm to the ecosystem, impacting aquatic life and necessitating immediate recovery efforts.
A significant oil spill in Ecuador’s Amazon region has polluted numerous rivers and a vital wildlife refuge, affecting over 500,000 residents. On March 13, a rupture occurred in a 500-kilometer pipeline managed by Petroecuador, enabling crude oil to flow downstream for over 80 kilometers into the Esmeraldas River and its tributaries, reaching the Pacific Ocean.
Witnesses reported a dramatic oil eruption resembling a geyser, lasting up to seven hours. Marine biologist Eduardo Rebolledo Monsalve noted that the southern shore of the Esmeraldas River is severely contaminated, with the Viche and Caple rivers becoming anoxic, resulting in a loss of oxygen. Monsalve projected that the spill would lead to a temporary decline in aquatic life, with the duration of its ecological impact potentially lasting three years in smaller bodies of water, depending on environmental conditions like rainfall.
Following the events, local authorities declared an environmental emergency on March 14. Esmeraldas’ Mayor Vicko Villacis emphasized that the disaster inflicted unprecedented ecological damage. Petroecuador is currently assessing the volume of oil spilled, as the pipeline is capable of transporting up to 360,000 barrels of crude oil daily from the Lago Agrio field to the Esmeraldas refinery.
The spill has severely impacted the Esmeraldas River Estuary Mangrove Wildlife Refuge, which spans 242 hectares and is critical for various mangrove species and wildlife. The oil has suffocated mangrove channels, poisoned aquatic habitats, and contaminated the sediment. On March 18, Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition called for help from non-profit organizations and volunteers for cleanup efforts.
Petroecuador has been mandated to initiate containment, cleanup, and remediation efforts promptly, with emergency funds deployed to monitor and alleviate further ecological damage. This incident is not isolated; from 2005 to 2022, over 1,496 oil spills were recorded in Ecuador, with 93% occurring in the Amazon, according to Amazon Frontlines.
The oil spill in Ecuador’s Amazon represents a serious environmental crisis, severely impacting both human communities and wildlife. Immediate containment and cleanup efforts are essential to mitigate further ecological degradation. Historical data highlights the recurring nature of such disasters in the region, underscoring the urgent need for effective monitoring and prevention measures to safeguard this vital ecosystem.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
