According to the latest statistics, 20 coastal provinces in the central region and the south of Vietnam have been attacked by mysterious oil spills. Controlling and preventing oil spills is still a challenge for Vietnamese scientists.
Widespread oil pollution
Major-general Nguyen Son Ha, Chief of the Ministry of Defence’s Rescue Agency, Chief of the National Search and Rescue Committee Office, said that oil pollution had been taking place complicatedly on a wide scale since late January 2007. By April 23, 1,721 tonnes of oil had been collected.
Recently, Bach Long Vi Island in Hai Phong city become the first location in the north affected by oil pollution, with 20 tonnes of oil collected. Seriously hit provinces are Quang Nam, Da Nang, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
The Environmental Protection Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment’s tests show that oil collected on the coast of the central region was crude oil with a low content of sulphur and high content of parafin.
According to analysis of oil samples and photos taken from satellites, the oil spills can hardly come from oil fields off the coast of Vietnam.
The oil found in Ba Ria-Vung Tau is also crude oil but it is different from the oil attacking the central region.
Since 1997, Vietnam has suffered nearly 60 cases of oil spills in its rivers and coastal regions, causing serious pollution in some locations. However, the origin of this year’s oil pollution is very mysterious and it is causing difficulties for competent bodies seeking measures to restrict and control the pollution.
