Over 525 Tons of Oil Waste Removed From Northeastern Brazil’s Beaches

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – State and municipal government employees of entities such as the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), together with volunteers and the military, are all working to remove the oil that first appeared on Brazil’s northeastern coast in late August.

The latest report, released on Saturday, October 19th, by IBAMA, says that the oil has already affected 201 locations in 74 municipalities on the Northeastern coast.

At the first press conference specifically called by a federal body to address the oil spills that have affected the northeastern beaches since September 2nd, the Navy reported that the federal government will cover all costs of the three federal entities working to clean up the coast.

Admiral Leonardo Puntel, did not provide figures but said on Sunday afternoon that the federal government will do the transfers.

He added that the slicks are now restricted to the coast of Pernambuco State, in the region of Cabo de Santo Agostinho.

Puntel said that the government has had difficulty in identifying the source of the oil. Because it is crude oil and very heavy, the leak travels below the surface.

According to him, the slicks are unable to be detected by radar and the government has been employing aircraft in an attempt to pinpoint the slicks.

Source: Agência Brasil, Estadão Conteúdo