Satellite image shows plume near Tuapse seaport

A satellite image showed plumes extending seaward in the waters off Tuapse, near the port, Gizel-Dere, and Dederkoy, but this data cannot be considered 100% confirmation of oil pollution, the Transparent World project noted. Volunteers reported that the booms they installed were able to stop small emissions.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," approximately 32,500 cubic meters of contaminated soil and water-oil mixture have been collected and removed to Tuapse. Rescuers are washing the tiles on the embankment and roadsides, the task force reported. Volunteers continue to clean up fuel oil in Tyumensky and Nebug. All beaches except the city ones have been cleared of oil products, and work there continues, the Tuapse administration announced, reporting on final preparations for the resort season. A total of 69 beaches will be open, including 11 public ones.

The Transparent World Project analyzed a satellite image of the waters near Tuapse, taken on May 29 by the Sentinel-2 satellite.

"The image shows extended dark plumes extending from the coastline toward the open sea. The most pronounced anomalies are observed south of the city—in the Gizel-Dere and Dederkoy areas, as well as near the port waters. In shape, the structures resemble elongated surface films or plumes of substances carried by currents and wind. However, such a picture can be created by pollution, suspended matter, river runoff, organic matter, or other natural processes," the description says.

The SSL Volunteers headquarters noted that the 200-meter-long absorbent booms they had previously installed in the Tuapse District had contained the pollution.

The deterioration in weather conditions immediately after the installation demonstrated the immediate effectiveness of the measures. The booms have begun to absorb the "shake" that is usually raised by waves," they noted, adding that the volunteers they have trained continue to install the booms.

On May 1, after a drone attack, a fire started on the territory of the sea terminal in Tuapse. It was extinguished on May 2. This fire was the fourth in Tuapse since April 16. Earlier, on April 24, after boom barriers broke due to rising water levels in the Tuapse River, an oil spill occurred into the Black Sea. On May 27, it became known about another attack on the seaport. A series of attacks on Tuapse's oil infrastructure has led to environmental consequences, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Fires and "Oil Rain": Key Information on the Ecological Disaster in Tuapse".

A regional emergency regime is in effect throughout the Tuapse District. Information on the criteria for assessing emergencies, response levels, structures, and resources for eliminating the consequences can be found in the "Caucasian Knot" factsheet "Emergency Situation (ES) Regime" (Emergency Situation)".

Materials on the consequences of the fuel oil spill have been collected by the "Caucasian Knot" on the page "Ecological Disaster in Kuban" (Ecological Disaster in Kuban).