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On 25 July 2020, a bulk carrier, MV Wakashio, ran aground on the Point d'Esny reef off the coast of Mauritius. The vessel was carrying almost 4,200 metric tonnes (MT) of fuel, including low sulphur fuel oil (3,894 MT), gas oil (207 MT) and lubricating oil (90 MT). The vessel is close to ecologically sensitive and important areas such as the Point d'Esny wetlands, the Ile aux Aigrettes nature reserve, the Blue Bay marine area, the Mahebourg fish stocks, the barachois (coastal lagoons) and the mangroves.

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The accident took place near two environmentally protected marine ecosystems and the Blue Bay Marine Park Reserve, a wetland of international importance.

Oil spills affect marine life by exposing them to aggressive elements and destroying their food sources and habitat. In addition, both birds and mammals can die from hypothermia as a result of oil spills, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

For example, oil destroys the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals, such as sea otters. It also decreases the water repellency of bird feathers, without which they lose their ability to repel cold water.

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There are a number of ways to clean up oil spills, including skimming, in situ burning and the release of chemical dispersants. Skimming involves removing the oil from the sea surface before it can reach sensitive areas along the coast. In situ burning means burning a particular oil slick after it has concentrated in an area. Oil booms are floating booms, placed around the oil or whatever is leaking oil.

The equipment, called containment booms, act as fences to prevent the oil from spreading or floating further. Once the oil booms confine the oil, skimmers or oil shovels can be deployed on ships to remove the contaminants from the surface of the water. As the name suggests, for in situ burning, oil floating on the surface is ignited for burning.

This in situ burning of oil can effectively remove up to 98% of an oil spill, which is more than most other methods. However, the toxic fumes released by the burning can cause significant damage to the environment and marine life. The release of chemical dispersants helps break down the oil into smaller droplets, which makes it easier for microbes to consume and further breaks it down into less harmful compounds.

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There are a number of ways to clean up oil spills, including skimming, in situ burning and the release of chemical dispersants. Skimming involves removing the oil from the sea surface before it can reach sensitive areas along the coast. In situ burning means burning a particular oil slick after it has concentrated in an area. Oil booms are floating booms, placed around the oil or whatever is leaking oil.

The equipment, called containment booms, act as fences to prevent the oil from spreading or floating further. Once the oil booms confine the oil, skimmers or oil shovels can be deployed on ships to remove the contaminants from the surface of the water. As the name suggests, for in situ burning, oil floating on the surface is ignited for burning.

This in situ burning of oil can effectively remove up to 98% of an oil spill, which is more than most other methods. However, the toxic fumes released by the burning can cause significant damage to the environment and marine life. The release of chemical dispersants helps break down the oil into smaller droplets, which makes it easier for microbes to consume and further breaks it down into less harmful compounds.

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What is significant about this incident is that the vessel was carrying 4,000 tonnes of heavy oil, lubricants and diesel, a large quantity of which was pumped out but a significant amount of which still entered the Indian Ocean.No oil was reported leaking at the time, and the Mauritius coast guard quickly deployed floating booms and took other preventive measures. The government activated its National Oil Spill Contingency Plan the following day, and by 5 August, a minor oil slick was observed surrounding the vessel. It was still assumed that the country's contingency plan was sufficient and that 'the risk of oil spill was still low'.Only after this, things got out of control: the ship started to flood and sink. It then broke in two and spilled at least 1,000 tonnes of oil into the Indian Ocean.

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Wakashio Oil Spill: An Ecological Disaster Mauritius will never forget

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Why the Mauritius oil spill is threatening | MV Wakashio | Climate Change | Aquatic ecosystem