MAERSK NAVIGATOR OIL-SPILL IN THE GREAT CHANNEL (ANDAMAN SEA) IN JANUARY 1993 AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACT

Observations on oil slicks, tar residues and dissolved petroleum hydro carbons (DPH) shortly after the oil spill resulting from the tanker ac cident in January 1993 showed negligible impact on the Indian EEZ of t he Great Channel (Andaman Sea). DPH were between 0.31 and 1.85 mu g l( -1) in the area examined. Tar residues were absent throughout the stud y area. Prevailing NE wind with resultant SW surface current appears t o have pushed the oil patches out towards the open Indian Ocean. A fol low-up survey of the same area was carried out in September-October 19 93 and observations similar to those made during the earlier survey we re recorded. The zooplankton biomass had increased considerably during the interval between the two surveys, but this was probably due to se asonal changes and natural variability. The spill did not cause any pe rceptible impact on the environment. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd.