http://oheraldo.in/node/2335?PHPSESSID=381496c85b7387264735b864578a2fd1
NIO probes oil impact on Mobor [HERALD] BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 29 The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) on Friday made its presence felt at the Mobor beach the worst hit by the raw oil washed ashore three days ago, even as the Tourism Department pumped in additional labourers to contain the rot on Salcetes coastal belt. NIO officials were investigating into the adverse effect of the raw oil on the flora and fauna on the beach. Samples of water and sand were lifted away by the officials to probe into the possible effects of the oil presence. "As of now, we cannot say whether any harm has been caused to the organisms on the beach. Only a detailed probe would reveal all these aspects, remarked an NIO official. The team also took underground sand samples to verify whether the oil cakes have percolated below the surface. While the shore infront of the starred hotel was cleared of the oil balls, the scars, however, remain. One could see a thin layer of black substance spread over the beach, but NIO officials say that the small traces of the oil balls would disappear in a months time. The NIO officials, however, sounded a note of caution. They said the labourers should not remove the sand in a bid to remove the thin black cover as that would destroy the organisms underneath. Just scraping of the sand would be adequate, another official added. Meanwhile, the Tourism Department deployed additional labourers to clear the oil balls from the Salcete coastline. A good part of the beach opposite Leela resort and Holiday Inn, besides Old Anchor was cleared of the oil balls. Director of Tourism, Sandeep Jacques informed that the exercise will continue till the oil balls are cleared from the beach. We have deployed a gang of labourers and all out efforts are in progress to remove the oil, Jacques added. Replying to a question, he said that the Tourism Department is still awaiting instructions from the government on the location to dispose the oil balls. "Right now, we have collected and dumped the oil at certain places on the beach. It will be lifted away no sooner the government identifies the location, he added. Meanwhile, officials of the district Collectorate visited Mobor beach on Friday evening and inspected the work being carried out by the Tourism Department.
