Caspian Sea under threat? New oil slicks detected weekly

Tengrinews.kz - Satellites have begun detecting new oil slicks in the Caspian Sea every week.
According to a statement from the global environmental movement Save the Caspian Sea, since early May this year, Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1C satellites have been recording new oil-containing slicks in the Caspian on a weekly basis.

"As of June 23, around 40 slicks have been identified, covering a total area of over 64 square kilometers in both coastal zones and open waters. Pollution has been observed in the sectors of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. Despite the regular occurrence of these slicks, there is no publicly available information on the response from relevant authorities," the statement said.

According to data from May–June, at least 7 pollution incidents were recorded in Kazakhstan’s sector, with a total area of 18 square kilometers.

"The cumulative effect of even small oil slicks leads to ecosystem degradation — gas exchange is disrupted, and fish, seabirds, and plankton suffer," the report explains.

Save the Caspian Sea
In the Russian sector, 25 slicks have been detected, covering about 14 square kilometers. In Azerbaijan’s sector, satellites recorded 5 incidents totaling 28.8 square kilometers. Two slicks were also spotted in Turkmenistan’s waters, covering 4.1 square kilometers.

“The problem is not a single spill, but the cumulative impact. Continuous satellite monitoring of the Caspian allows not only for timely response to emergencies but also helps scientists track long-term man-made pressure on the marine ecosystem,” said Andrey Balagurov, coordinator of the "Transparent World in the Caspian Sea" project.

Save the Caspian Sea
It was also noted that in April, 15 oil slicks were detected in the Caspian Sea, covering a combined area of about 32 square kilometers.
Save the Caspian Sea
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