TITUSVILLE, FL - A dark, tacky petroleum-like substance saturated shoreline rocks and leaked to the Indian River Lagoon on the south side of A. Max Brewer bridge in Titusville, Florida. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) was made aware of the spill, but it has yet to be reported to the agency's pollution notice website or the Electronic Document Management System (OCULUS) site as of Sunday, December 11, 2022. A blue boom absorbent sock was placed along the rock as a floating barrier to contain the spill and assist in recovery.
Some spills can harm marine birds, sea turtles, and mammals and can harm fish. They can contaminate soil and water and contain toxic components that threaten public health. The severity of a petroleum spill impact depends on various factors.
Soils contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons can be impacted at low concentrations. It can poison plants and trees by preventing photosynthesis, the process where plants convert sunlight to food. If droplets drift into the lagoon's water column, the sediment can stick to the droplets. A "sheen rule" under the Clean Water Act requires the person responsible for discharging petroleum that may be "harmful to the public health or welfare" to report the spill to the federal government. Bystanders mentioned a drum being seen at the location, but it is unclear who spilled or how much. We continue investigating pollution incidents in the Indian River Lagoon; if you have more information, please contact fight4zero@gmail.com.
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| An iridescent appearance on the surface of the Indian River Lagoon caused by a petroleum spill finding its way into the water. |
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| The absorbent sock sits on top of shoreline rocks allowing oil to escape through the crevices |
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| The blue barrier is a water absorbent sock that absorbs water from leaks. |
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| These socks are commonly used in a spill response |
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| The shoreline rocks are covered in the stick and dark substance |
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| The shoreline rocks are covered in the sticky dark substance |
FDEP Pollution Notices: https://prodenv.dep.state.fl.us/DepPNP/reports/viewIncidentDetails?page=1
FDEP OCULUS: https://depedms.dep.state.fl.us/Oculus/servlet/login
Clean Water Act: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act
Understanding Oil Spills and Response: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-01/documents/ospguide99.pdf
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