Sustainable Marine Structures

On the Impact of Brazil's Largest Recent Oil Spill on Regional Oceans

Liana de Figueiredo Mendes

Department of Ecology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campus, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil

Patrícia Pinheiro Beck Eichler

Graduate Program in Geodynamics and Geophysics (PPGG), Laboratory of Marine Geology and Geophysics and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campos, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil;www.EcoLogicProject.com (California, USA)

Tatiana Leite

Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

Ana Beatriz Alves Bennemann

Department of Ecology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campus, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil

Clara de Souza Melo

Department of Ecology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campus, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil

Andressa Lima Ferreira

Graduate Program in Geodynamics and Geophysics (PPGG), Laboratory of Marine Geology and Geophysics and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campos, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil;www.EcoLogicProject.com (California, USA)

Khalil Bow Ltaif Garcia

Graduate Program in Geodynamics and Geophysics (PPGG), Laboratory of Marine Geology and Geophysics and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campos, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil

Luzia Liniane do Nascimento Silva

Graduate Program in Geodynamics and Geophysics (PPGG), Laboratory of Marine Geology and Geophysics and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campos, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil

Christofer Paul Barker

www.EcoLogicProject.com (California, USA)

Helenice Vital

Graduate Program in Geodynamics and Geophysics (PPGG), Laboratory of Marine Geology and Geophysics and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campos, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil

Moab Praxedes Gomes

Graduate Program in Geodynamics and Geophysics (PPGG), Laboratory of Marine Geology and Geophysics and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campos, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil

Priscila F. M. Lopes

Department of Ecology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), University Campus, Lagoa Nova, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/sms.v3i2.431

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Abstract

In 2019, an oil spill in Brazil, of unknown origin, severely impacted coastal environs with the worst environmental disaster ever recorded in any tropical coastal region globally severely damaging South Pirangi Reef area in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Here we discuss acute and chronic impacts including chemical contamination and economic consequences all over the world and show some evidence of the oil spill in this biodiverse area. Moreover, the lapse between the moment of the disaster, and the action to manage it, was hampered by a political agenda coinciding with local and global tragedies that redirected public attention. Meanwhile almost 2 years have passed still without the offending party identification or culpability; and poor communities may continue to absorb its deleterious impacts for decades without consideration or compensation. This disaster occurred during the Brazilian government’s current issues involving extensive environmental mismanagement, resulting in a slow response from an inept system. It is with urgent necessity to spotlight this tragedy in this unique and sensitive reef habitat experiencing the ongoing damaging effects that include socio-economic losses not yet addressed.

Keywords: Environmental impacts; Socioeconomic losses; Government; Brazilian coast; Oil spill; Disaster

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