Simulations for MV X-Press Pearl chemical and oil leaks in support of response and clean-up
When an accident involving chemicals and plastic pellets occurs, forecasting their dispersion and the potential behaviour of the oil spill while understanding in advance where and when it will reach the coastline is crucial to organize an efficient emergency response to limit severe environmental and economic consequences. After the MV X-Press Pearl container ship fire off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, CMCC Foundation and cmcc srl deliver a bulletin forecasting the nitric acid and microplastic dispersion and modelling hypothetical oil drift pattern from the vessel in the period of interest.
The bulletin is built by CMCC upon the information on the current (provided by Copernicus Marine Service) and wind (ECMWF provided by Italian Met Office) products used to force the MEDSLIK-II oil spill model. The bulletin contains the hindcast/forecast of transport of microplastic granules and nitric acid released in the marine environment as well as the bunker oil that at risk of leaking from the sunken ship.
DISCLAIMER – The information and views set out in this Bulletin are those of the authors (CMCC) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the governments of the area. CMCC does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this study. Neither CMCC nor any person acting on the author’s behalf may be held responsible for the use, which may be made of the information contained therein.
Download the bulletin (pdf) – date of release: 08/06/2021 (UPDATED VERSION)
Download the bulletin (pdf) – date of release: 07/06/2021
Download the bulletin (pdf) – date of release: 5/06/2021