An extensive oil spill in the Ecuadorian Amazon has severely affected rivers and a wildlife refuge, following a rupture in a Petroecuador pipeline. Over half a million residents are impacted, and local authorities have declared an environmental emergency. The Ministry of Environment is mobilizing cleanup efforts while highlighting the long-standing issue of oil spills in the region.
A substantial oil spill has occurred in the Ecuadorian Amazon, particularly in the northwestern Esmeraldas province, severely affecting multiple rivers and a crucial wildlife refuge. The incident, attributed to a rupture in a 500-kilometer pipeline managed by the state-owned Petroecuador on March 13, has contaminated waterways, impacting over half a million residents. The oil has spread for over 80 kilometers down the Esmeraldas River and its tributaries, reaching towards the Pacific Ocean.
Eyewitnesses described oil erupting from the pipeline like a geyser for several hours. Marine biologist Eduardo Rebolledo Monsalve reported that the entire southern shore of the Esmeraldas River has become saturated with oil. He further noted that the Viche and Caple rivers are now anoxic, devoid of oxygen, indicating grave impacts on aquatic life. Monsalve expressed concerns regarding the long-term ecological effects, suggesting that if conditions remain mild, the impacts in smaller rivers could persist for roughly three years.
In response to the spill, local authorities declared an environmental emergency on March 14. Esmeraldas’ mayor, Vicko Villacis, highlighted that the disaster has inflicted unprecedented ecological damage. Meanwhile, Petroecuador has not yet quantified the volume of oil released from the pipeline, which transports up to 360,000 barrels of crude oil daily from the Lago Agrio oil field to a refinery on the western coast.
The oil spill has affected the Esmeraldas River Estuary Mangrove Wildlife Refuge, an area of 242 hectares that is critical for various species. The oil has contaminated mangrove channels, harming vegetation and aquatic life while polluting sediments. In a recent action, Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment called for the assistance of non-profit organizations and volunteers to aid in cleanup and recovery efforts in the region.
This area is home to diverse species, including three kinds of mangrove trees and over 100 species of fish, birds, and mammals. The ministry has mandated Petroecuador to initiate immediate containment, cleanup, and restoration actions while activating emergency conservation funds to further protect this vulnerable ecosystem. Alarmingly, this incident marks just one of many, as Amazon Frontlines reported over 1,496 oil spills in Ecuador from 2005 to 2022, with a staggering 93% occurring in the Amazon region.
The recent oil spill in Ecuador’s Amazon highlights significant environmental and ecological challenges facing the region. The incident has devastated critical waterways and wildlife, exacerbating long-standing issues related to oil extraction in the Amazon. Authorities have initiated emergency actions to mitigate the damage, but the long-term impacts on the ecosystem and its inhabitants remain uncertain. This event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing environmental risks associated with oil infrastructure in sensitive areas.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
