More than 100,000 metric tons of oil carried by an Iranian tanker that sank on Jan. 14 in the East China Sea could endanger nearby fisheries and marine life immediately and for years to come, researchers say. But with many details of the wreck still unknown, it is too early to predict the effects with any certainty. The tanker Sanchi was carrying 136,000 metric tons of ultralight crude oil called condensate when it collided with a Chinese cargo ship on Jan. 6. The Sanchi burned until it sank eight days later in 115 meters of water. All 32 crew members of the tanker are presumed dead.Condensate is a volatile type of oil similar to gasoline that is used to make jet fuel and other products. It is highly toxic to marine life. To transport the condensate payload, the Sanchi was likely running on bunker fuel: a heavy, tarlike, viscous substance

    Volatile, ultralight oil payload could dissipate quickly, while ship’s fuel may persist

    10.1021/cen-09604-notw1-map-gr1

    Ocean current modeling suggests where oil from the Sanchi might go in the next three months, with the most likely path shown in red. (Credit: Ekaterina Popova)

    Sanchitankersunkoil spillJapanocean currentmodelingA map of the East China Sea showing where oil from the Sanchi might go in the month after the ship sank.


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    Title :

    Sunken oil tanker threatens marine life


    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2018-01-22




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    Unknown





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