The leakage of oil at sea declined in 2010 by 103 barrels
Saudi coasts witnessed 12 oil-tanker accidents last year that polluted seawater due to the leakage of 2,103 barrels, said an official from the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment on Monday.
Sameer Ghazi, undersecretary for environmental affairs, said the leakage of oil in the sea declined in 2010 by 103 barrels compared to the leakage the previous year.
He said 12 places were affected by pollution caused by the oil slick in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, adding that the pollution was created by the leakage of oil and by tankers hitting corals. He said the removal of leaked oil from the sea was expensive.
The removal of a single barrel of oil will cost about $1,000 in normal circumstances, he pointed out. The presidency has set aside a toll free No. 988 to receive information about marine accidents. There is a national strategy to combat oil pollution, he added.
Source: Arab News