Marine Protected Areas Affected by the most extensive Oil Spill on the Southwestern Atlantic coast

Abstract

This study identified the marine protected areas (MPAs) affected by the most extensive oil spill recorded on the Southwestern Atlantic coast, Brazil (2019/2020). We found that 81 MPAs suffered the direct or indirect effects of spilled oil, producing chemical, biological and socioenvironmental impacts over approximately 3.0% of the 2,659 protected areas currently established in Brazil. Although estimates suggest a moderate volume of spilled oil, the incident reached wide coastal strips, probably producing more damage to MPAs than other cases worldwide. Further, the generated negative impacts affected the already fragile environmental protection system in Brazil, potentially leading to negative impacts on global networks of MPAs and worldwide biodiversity.

Descriptors:
Pollution; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Environmental impacts; Socioeconomic impacts