Enviro damage probe under way

2007-09-20 16:07

Verashni Pillay

Durban - Authorities are conducting serious investigations into the possibility of water contamination after chemical fires at a Durban oil depot raged through the night on Tuesday.

Attempts by News24 to talk to environmental experts were met with some resistance, as one pointed out that "this was huge".

The managing director of Island View Storage, Kobus Ehlers, claimed on Wednesday that the concentration of air and water pollution appeared minimal, thanks to the "current wind conditions".

However, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) told News 24 that they had been contacted by the Transnet National Port Authority, Port of Durban to undertake a water quality assessment.

The team from Natural Resources in the Environment would investigate the "organic pollutants" that might have entered the Port in the Island View Basin.

"The exact nature of chemicals that have spilled into the harbour cannot be confirmed at this stage, but GC/MS (Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy) analyses will be used to determine the presence of contaminants in the water samples," CSIR spokesperson Alida Britz said.

"Oxygen profiles in the affected water environment are also being attempted, but the CSIR is unsure of the results that will be obtained due to extremely strong winds throughout the day," she said, adding that she could not comment on the impacts on the environmental quality in Durban Bay.

Meanwhile Island View Storage employee, Meshail Reddy, is still missing after checking the temperature on one of the three tankers that exploded at about 19:00. His body has not been found.

Brenda Nell, spokesperson for Island View Storage told News24 that the cause of the fires, which set 8 tanks alight for over 12 hours, had still not been determined.

- News24