PANJIM, SEPT 20
Scientist Dr Joe D’Souza on Monday maintained bio-remediation of oil spills was possible in a confined or contained environment and not in the open environment, especially in the ocean.
D’Souza observed the influences of tides, ocean current, changes in salinity and the presence of diverse micro-organisms make it difficult or nearly impossible to use bio-remediation.
Bio-remediation is the act of treating waste or pollutants by the use of micro-organisms (as bacteria) that can break down the undesirable substances like tar balls, oil slicks, etc.
Secondly, the scientist, a former professor at Department of Microbiology, Goa University, said again bio-remediation wasn’t possible because of the large quantity of the tar balls. Also, due to the dynamics of the ocean tar balls keep shifting, which makes the process difficult, he stated.
The scientist maintains the only way was to prevent the deliberate discharge of spent fuel into the sea by rogue vessels, trawlers, cruise boats, barges, etc., that operate in Goan waters.
D’Souza said oil-degrading bacteria in the open seas could also find its way to places where oil is explored and processed. These bacteria will not distinguish between good and bad oil and will go on to break down all forms of oil, he asserts.
He stressed on the urgent need to have a facility in the State where spent fuel could be collected by Governmental agencies and scientifically treated. Facility for hydrocarbon fingerprinting of oils is a dire need if the Government was serious enough to zero down on rogue vessels discharging spent fuel into the sea.
D’Souza recalled he had suggested to the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar the Information Technology Council under CSIR then headed by Dr R A Mashelkar could be entrusted with the preparation of a protocol for the use of petroleum finger printing technology.
