Strait of Hormuz attacks spill oil into Persian Gulf

A dark, muddied patch of blue has emerged in satellite images of the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that oil may be leaking into the Persian Gulf. This environmental crisis is unfolding amid the ongoing US-Iran war, with tankers being targeted by missiles, set on fire, or sunk. One notable incident occurred in June when a Russian tanker carrying approximately 800,000 barrels of oil became stranded off the coast of Oman, resulting in a significant spill.

As of now, around 13 large oil-laden tankers remain stuck in the Strait, compared to an earlier count of 85. Each stranded vessel, along with the remaining ships navigating the waterway, increases the risk of an attack and potential oil spill. Satellite imagery has been used to track over 100 spills since the war began, but it is likely that several more have gone undetected due to widespread GPS spoofing.

Greenpeace, an environmental organization, has released a report describing the situation as an "ecological catastrophe" and pinpointing oil slicks extending into protected areas. Nina Noelle, a Greenpeace expert, stated that the war has had a "very, very heavy toll on the environment," with the damage now reaching unprecedented levels.

The oil is spreading across five major slicks in the Strait of Hormuz, collectively covering an area of 240 square kilometers (about 90 square miles), roughly four times the size of Manhattan. However, satellite images suggest that the slicks are becoming smaller, now averaging around 80 square kilometers in size. While this may seem promising for the immediate impact, Noelle emphasizes that the ecological consequences are still severe, as oil can sink into the sediment and continue to harm ecosystems for years.

The specific extent and severity of the damage remain unclear, according to Greenpeace and other environmental organizations. They rely on satellite data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites, which are publicly available through the European Union's Earth observation program. However, access to satellite imagery is limited during the war to prevent its use for military targeting.

On-the-ground reports are also limited due to restrictive policies in Iran and the Gulf states. The environmental impact of the oil spills poses threats to wildlife and human populations. Oil can be fatal for seabirds, coating their feathers and impairing their ability to fly, hunt, and regulate body temperature. Small amounts of oil can also harm bird eggs, preventing hatching or causing deformities.

Mangrove habitats, crucial for coastal species, are particularly vulnerable, as oil covers the aerial roots, hindering gas exchange and leading to tree death. Additionally, coastal communities depend on fish populations, which suffer when exposed to oil, and the spills contaminate drinking water sources. Desalination, which provides the majority of potable water in Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, is also at risk due to oil contamination.

Environmental groups argue that the rising scale of oil spills during the war highlights the urgent need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, as the long-term damage prevention lies in transitioning away from oil and gas.