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The presence of asbestos in the composition of the hull of aircraft carriers can cause strong environmental impacts on the high seas. Ibama requested further updates from the Brazilian Navy on the sinking of the NAe São Paulo.
After the Brazilian Navy announced the sinking operation of the NAe São Paulo this Thursday (02/01), the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) requested updates on the case. The agency pointed out the need for new technical assessments and temporary suspension of the sinking of the aircraft carrier to ensure environmental safety. The release of substances such as asbestos present in the hull of the vessel can cause strong impacts to the marine ecosystem.
See: Navy and Ibama are in conflict to determine the fate of the aircraft carrier
Ibama warns of possible environmental impacts on the marine ecosystem with the continuation of the sinking operation of the aircraft carrier NAe São Paulo
The Brazilian Navy recently announced the sinking of the hull of the aircraft carrier NAe São Paulo, deactivated for over 5 years.
However, the conditions for carrying out the operation are worrying environmental bodies across the country.
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A request sent to the Naval Force this Thursday, carried out by Ibama, asked the Brazilian Navy for updates on the operation of sinking the vessel's hull.
The objective of the environmental agency is to study possible alternatives to mitigate the environmental impacts that may result from the operation.
According to the institute, the Navy's decision goes against the measures indicated by its technical staff to ensure the environmentally appropriate destination for the case.
This happens because the presence of asbestos was detected in the composition of NAe São Paulo, a toxic substance for the marine ecosystem.
"In addition to requesting studies from the Navy's Hydrographic Center, bottom mapping of the area selected for jettisoning the hull and information on the intended method to cause the sinking, Ibama recommended the preparation of a Water Monitoring Plan", said Ibama in the request.
Three weeks ago, a technical team from the agency released a note warning of the impacts of the sinking of the hull of the aircraft carrier by the Brazilian Navy.
The main problem that may result from the release of asbestos present in the NAe São Paulo is the disturbance in the filtering capacity and growth difficulties in aquatic organisms.
In addition, the direct physical impact on the bottom of the ocean can cause the death of countless marine species, as the Ibama team points out.
Ibama points to possible releases of CFCs and HCFCs in the operation of the Brazilian Navy
In addition to the problems already presented by Ibama's technical team, there are possible risks of releasing Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) during the sinking of the aircraft carrier's hull.
This operation with the NAe São Paulo could then cause an aggravation of the current risk situation of the ozone layer in Brazil.
The body of the Brazilian Navy ship still has the potential to attract invasive species to the ecosystem Marinho national level, compromising the life of existing species in the region.
Ibama's technical team added that “the microplastics and heavy metals present in the vessel's paints could become protagonists of undesirable bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms. As an aggravating factor, all predicted impacts could occur in biodiversity hotspots (reserves), which are fundamental for marine life.”
The Brazilian Navy has taken a position in relation to Ibama's alerts, declaring that there is no alternative other than a controlled sinking of the aircraft carrier NAe São Paulo in the current situation.
