In April 2017, there was an oil spill in Kalba beach of Sharjah. Research and find a)How did it affect the aquatic life? b.What measures were taken by the UAE government to avoid oil spills in UAE?
Answers
Answer:
and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah
Ruba Haza
April 3, 2017
SHARJAH // A major clean-up operation is under way after a major oil spill left a kilometre-long stretch of the UAE coated in thick crude.
The oil slick washed ashore on to the beach at Kalba on Sharjah’s east coast on Sunday. The UAE Armed Forces and Coastguard were among the authorities mobilised to respond.
Hana Al Suwaidi, chairwoman of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, said the beach and rocks were left stained by oil.
“The oil slick is caused by the oil spill, which is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially marine areas, and it is a form of pollution, requiring an immediate response to control”, she said.
The spill is the second in weeks.
Last month several hotels around Al Aqah in Fujairah had to ban guests from swimming when a two-kilometre oil slick washed ashore.
Ms Al Suwaidi said previous spills have come from tankers dumping oil.
Although the cause is yet to be established, she said there would be “severe repercussions” for those responsible.
“So far, [personnel] have finished 80 per cent of the cleaning and are continuing to complete the work soon,” she said.
“Oil spills may be due to the release of oil from tankers, wells, offshore platforms and drilling rigs, as well as spills of refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel and their by-products.
“In line with the environmental impact, there will be severe repercussions for those found responsible and measures will be taken accordingly.
“Such oil spills have an effect on marine flora and fauna. Therefore, efforts should be made from the moment the spill is detected. Our team spared no efforts to contain the oil spill.”