MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, November 23rd 2024 - 10:58 UTC

 

 

Oil industry threatens the 1.000 km long coral reef system where the Amazon meets the ocean

Monday, January 30th 2017 - 14:57 UTC
Full article 1 comment
The Amazon Reef is a 9,500 sq km system of corals, sponges and rhodoliths, Greenpeace says. The reef is 1,000km long where the Amazon meets the Atlantic The Amazon Reef is a 9,500 sq km system of corals, sponges and rhodoliths, Greenpeace says. The reef is 1,000km long where the Amazon meets the Atlantic
Oil drilling could start in the area if companies obtain permits from the Brazilian government, the group warns. Oil drilling could start in the area if companies obtain permits from the Brazilian government, the group warns.

The first pictures of a huge coral reef system discovered in the Amazon last year have been released by environmental campaigners. The Amazon Reef is a 9,500 sq km system of corals, sponges and rhodoliths, Greenpeace says. The reef is almost 1,000 km long, and is located where the Amazon River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

 Oil drilling could start in the area if companies obtain permits from the Brazilian government, the group warns.

“This reef system is important for many reasons, including the fact that it has unique characteristics regarding use and availability of light, and physicochemical water conditions,” researcher Nils Asp, from the Federal University of Para, said in a statement.

“It has a huge potential for new species, and it is also important for the economic well-being of fishing communities along the Amazonian coastal zone.”

“Scientists were surprised by the discovery, in April 2016, as they thought it was unlikely that reefs would be found it the area given unfavorable conditions,” they said in a paper in the scientific journal Science Advances. The reef ranges from about 25-120m deep.

Asp now says that his team wants to gradually map the system. At the moment, only 5% of it has been mapped. “Our team wants to have a better understanding of how this ecosystem works, including important questions like its photosynthesis mechanisms with very limited light.”

But Greenpeace says drilling in the area means a “constant risk of an oil spill”.

Campaigner Thiago Almeira said environmental licensing processes for oil exploration there are already under way.

“The Cape Orange National Park, the northernmost point of the Brazilian state of Amapa, is home to the world's largest continuous mangrove ecosystem and there is no technology capable of cleaning up oil in a place of its characteristics,” the group said.

“In addition, the risks in this area are increased due to the strong currents and sediment that the Amazon River carries.”

The group said that, so far, 95 wells have been drilled in the region, and 27 of them were abandoned as a result of mechanical incidents - the rest due to the absence of economically or technically viable gas and oil.

Categories: Environment, Brazil.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • :o))

    1º: The Fossil Fuel Reserves [Pre-Sal] may be “HUGE” but it costs much more to access the reserves and that makes the crude oil extremely expensive than the average market price.
    2º: The Global Trend is towards the FALLING oil price OR maintaining it low [below average].
    3º: Countries such as the USA will soon be the LARGEST exporters of oil & gas [SHALE]; which cost well below the average prices.
    4º: The “NEW”, Unconventional, Green, & Renewable fuels are gradually becoming more common, more abundant and are cheaper than the “normal” fuels.

    The uses of such energies are gradually getting global acceptance, are recommended, favorable and more beneficial to the environment.

    5º: IN SHORT; there is a diminishing demand for the “conventional” oil on one hand and on the other hand, the supply is constantly increasing - by many folds.

    In spite of all the “negative aspects” which are mentioned above; IF AT ALL Brazil is “somehow” able to sell - GET RID OF - these assets [which in reality are the BIGGEST liabilities now]; it will NEVER be:
    - At the right/fair price
    - without some kind of a scandal involved!

    Hence; Brazil’s Black-Gold “fortune” = The New-Found “riches” = FOOL’s Gold:

    REF: http://brazzil.com/brazils-black-gold-fortune-was-nothing-but-fools-gold/

    Feb 07th, 2017 - 05:59 pm 0
Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!