Fuel oil tanker Prestige

2002/12/03 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Garraioak
• Ingurumena

The black tide that reaches the Galician coast is fuel, that is, the oil fraction formed by heavy substances. In the refining process, oil components are distributed according to their size. First the smallest ones are extracted: gases, gasoline and other similar products, then diesel and finally, at very high temperatures, fuel. The Prestige was therefore a mixture of heavy molecules.

The molecules found in this mixture, of course, are toxic; all fuellols are toxic. It is a black liquid with benzopirene and many other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can penetrate the skin, digestive tract and airway. These substances are listed in hazardous compounds published by ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

However, this case is characterized by the presence of sulfur in the fuel transported by the Prestige vessel, in addition to these substances. There are four types of fuel, among which the Prestige carried the highest proportion of sulfur according to the analysis.

Now, the stain created by the ship has reached the Arousa estuary and it will be very difficult to prevent access to the interior.