![]() ![]() Local First Nations leaders are also expressing concerns about the MV Zim Kingston accident. He noted that other contents of the cargo containers, much of it likely made of plastics, may also contribute to ocean pollution and could present a “significant risk” to ship navigation in the region. “Undoubtedly, that chemical does pose a risk to fish and marine mammals, depending on where it ends up, and I guess that’s the question that we can’t really answer right now,” he said in an interview. Jay Cullen, professor and director at University of Victoria’s School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, concurred that the harm to marine organisms depends on the concentration of potassium amyl xanthate that may leak from the missing containers. She said while such effects would depend on the animals’ exposure to the chemical, that in turn will be affected by where the containers ultimately break open, “and the most likely place for that to happen is in the near-shore environment,” where leaching could cause direct burning and irritation in aquatic life such as fish and whales. Karen Wristen, executive director of Living Oceans Society, a B.C.-based marine conservation organization, said the compound is “extremely toxic to aquatic life.” At least two of those containers had been carrying potassium amyl xanthate, a chemical used in mining. Officials said the fires, which broke out on Saturday, had been under control, and noted the number and type of containers carrying dangerous goods has not changed since the original reporting. coast may take days to put out: coast guard The containers were carrying Christmas decorations, sofas, poker tables, metal car parts, clothing, toys, yoga mats, stand-up paddle boards, industrial parts and other everyday items.įires in cargo ship off B.C. The others are still adrift and some may have sunk. Three containers were washed up at Cape Scott, on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, early Wednesday afternoon.
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