Oil Spill May Trigger ‘Coral Abortions’

Marine experts at the Aquatic Resources Research Institute (Arri) of Chulalongkorn University say Thai Oil’s ruptured offshore pipeline in Chon Buri could have a devastating impact on coral and trigger other long-term effects. 

Prof Suchana Chavanich, Arri’s deputy director, said research has found oil pollution can stop the coral from generating new reproductive cells and also impair its existing reproductive cells, which is known as the “abortion effect”. She said that even though the marine environment can recover, affected coral might not regain its healthy state. 

“Close monitoring is recommended to observe the long-term consequences on marine plants and animals from oil leaks, which requires advanced scanning technology,” she said. 

Arri director Prof Voranop Viyakarn said researchers from Chulalongkorn University have begun to collect samples from the oil-polluted area. Also, researchers will embark on a metagenomic study to find the affects on marine animals. The oil spill in Chon Buri on Sunday night (3 September) followed similar incidents last January and this July in Rayong. 

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