Environmental Disaster – Oil on the beaches of the Northeast

Since September, oil slicks of unknown origin have been reaching beaches of the Northeast region.
On October 11, the oil arrived in large quantities on the reefs of Praia do Forte and the community quickly gathered to try to clean it up in some way. More than 50 people, including residents and tourists, worked voluntarily to try to remove the oil, all with a feeling of sadness, seeing the situation of the beach and reefs. On that day alone, about two tons of oil were removed from the beach and reefs.
The oceanographer Carlos Valério was present during this cleanup and helped both in cleaning up and in estimating the extent of the oil spill that reached Praia do Forte. See below some records, photographic and video, made by him during the cleanup, and showing that, the next day, it was possible to see that the effort of these people really made a difference.
Video from October 11, before the cleanup started.
Photographic record of October 11, during the cleaning activities.
Video from the October 12, noting that the cleanup worked effectively in the area.
You can also contribute as a cleanup volunteer or fund this activity. To learn more, visit the Guardiões do Litoral Instagram page (link here).
Below are some links to news websites where Carlos tells a little about how the cleanup operation took place:
Understand how the cleaning of the crude oil that took the coast of the Northeast was carried out. (O Globo)
Bahia is experiencing apprehension and uncertainty with the arrival of oil on the coast. (BBC)
Ibama predicts the arrival of oil to the Todos os Santos Bay, Salvador’s postcard, and triggers an urgent containment plan. (O Globo)
Volunteers say they have removed at least two tons of oil from Praia do Forte, in Bahia. (O Globo)
20 kg of oil have already been removed from beaches in Salvador; watch video. (Correio da Bahia)