A mysterious petroleum substance on the beaches of Pomerania and West Pomerania

The Maritime Office in Słupsk received the results of analyzes of samples of the black substance that the sea washed up on the beaches from Rowy in the Pomeranian Voivodeship to Wicie in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

Tests conducted in the Gdańsk laboratory confirmed that it is a petroleum-derived substance. However, as informed by the director of the Maritime Office in Słupsk, Anna Sędzińska, "the laboratory told us that it is impossible to clearly determine what the contamination is because the substance is dirty."

Experts reassure that short-term contact with this unidentified petroleum substance does not pose a threat to health or life. Nevertheless, contamination is treated as hazardous waste and requires specialized disposal.

Beach clean-up and follow-up

Coastal protection services have been collecting pollution into special bags for several days. The waste is stored in the area designated by the Maritime Office.

On Thursday, the cleaning of beaches in Ustka and the parts of the commune where there was the most pollution and where entry was banned from Tuesday was completed. The ban has already been canceled, but on some sections the works will take longer.

We assume that this substance may appear here and there at a later time and may still be washed out by the sea. We will monitor this situation. I think it will last for a few more weeks, announces director Sędzińska.

Where did the mysterious substance come from?

The Maritime Office is conducting an investigation to determine the source of the pollution.

The ongoing investigation to determine where the oil-based substance found itself in the sea is ongoing, but in my opinion it will end with the perpetrator not being identified, admits Sędzińska.

Earlier, there were suspicions that the tanks of one of the vessels may have been illegally cleaned. Samples have been taken from this particular unit, but it is unlikely that they will be matched to those taken from the beach. This is difficult. We are still trying to take explanatory actions, but I do not know whether they will be effective - says the director of the Maritime Office.