The 2009 Queensland oil spill occurred on March 11, 2009 off the coast of southeast Queensland. On that fateful night when Cyclone Hamish battered the coast of Australia's northern state, MV Pacific Adventurer spilled 230 tons of fuel oil, 30 tons of other fuel, and 620 tons of ammonium nitrate into the Coral Sea, north of Moreton Bay, changing the face of the much-famed Gold Coast.
Unsecured cargo on the ship dislodged from the deck and damaged other cargo onboard, causing the spillage. Sixty kilometers of pristine coastline areas, including Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, and Bribie Island were badly affected by the spill. Oil spill cleanup operations have cost the government so much in terms of money. It is widely believed that 31 containers with ammonium nitrate are still present somewhere in the Coral Sea floor; if it disperses into the ocean it might cause widespread algal blooms.
What is the bearing on the ecosystem
The oil spilled in one of Australia’s worst ever oil spill disasters is highly toxic heavy-grade bunker oil. Bunker oil is not easy to get rid of and a thick sludge remains even after the volatile part of the oil has evaporated. Products from Oil Gone Easy help in removal of such spills caused by oil spill disasters in an eco-friendly manner.
Oil spill effects on the ecosystem can be disastrous and wildlife coming into direct contact with the oil will be severely affected. Inhaling, ingesting, and absorbing oil are dangerous as well. Once it enters the food chain, the entire cycle can get contaminated, ranging from the smallest plankton to human beings. Depending on the intensity and level of exposure to oil vapor, it might lead to cancer. They can also damage various parts of the body, including blood, kidney, liver, skin, central nervous system, and parts of the eye.
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