The mystery over the source of the motor oil spill that contaminated the banks of Pointe-aux-Trembles deepened as Quebec halted its investigation, a decision an environmental group called “unacceptable.”
“As all possibilities have been verified several times, Argens-Environment has redirected its efforts towards the recovery of the product. However, if a new lead comes to light, the investigation can be resumed,” the environment ministry said on Monday.
Four days after the first report of this layer of pollution, the recovery of the black and sticky substance is still ongoing. The Canadian Coast Guard, which is in charge of the operation, said less than 19,000 liters of water and oil have been recovered so far.
“This is unacceptable,” said Alain Salatzius, president of the Rivières Foundation, after announcing that Quebec had halted its investigation into the source of the spill. “We are asking for a full explanation of the expansion we have done. Why the delay? », he asked himself.
If even a water treatment engineer doesn't identify a culprit, citizens are at risk of footing the bill for the cleaning operation, which promises to be huge.
What's more, nothing excludes the possibility of a repeat, when a new episode like the one that happened last Thursday, covering tens of meters of shore, stressed Alain Salatzius, who still does not rule out the possibility of connecting the water table with the presence. Many refineries in the field.
An incision may be necessary
Since it began last Friday, the production recovery operation has made it possible to clean up two-thirds of the contaminated vegetation, the Environment Ministry said on Monday. If the plants do not need to be pruned, pruning is necessary in some places.
Three-quarters of the Pointe-aux-Trembles marina was contaminated with blackened water and many vessels were also cleaned. Vegetation sampling was carried out by Argens-Environment to document product residues, it was stated.
The ministry has maintained a list of two plant species to ensure that the copper redhorse's diet is not affected by pollution. One of them has been identified so far and is more than 30 cm above the water surface, so it is not affected by motor oil.
Since last Friday, the Coast Guard has reduced the no-navigation notice in effect in the area to a speed reduction notice to prevent waves that help disperse the pollution.
On Sunday, another suspicious slime was reported near the eastern beach, but it turned out to be a remnant that quickly dissipated, the Environment Ministry said on Monday.
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