SEMIRARA ISLAND, Antique -- The real extent of the damage on the environment and the impact on residents of the massive oil spill off the coast of this island may only be known after years of study and monitoring, scientists say.

But the oil spill, the worst in the country's history, is also seen as a "golden opportunity" to research and gather invaluable data on the impact of bunker fuel on mangroves and marine life.

"The findings could also help us address similar incidents in the future," Dr. Rex Sadaba, a mangrove expert and head of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) Task Force Semirara, said.

Sadaba said there has been no study in the country on the impact of a massive oil spill on mangroves and other marine life.

At least 364,120 liters of bunker fuel have been spilled off the coast of Semirara after a power barge of the National Power Corp. ran aground 200 meters from the island on Dec. 18, according to the Coast Guard.

Sadaba, who last week led a team that conducted an initial survey on the impact of the oil spill on mangroves and marine life in Semirara, said around 113 hectares of mangrove forests have been contaminated including 97.64 ha of old growth mangroves. The worst hit is a four-hectare area that includes the Kubelo Cove, a fishing sanctuary.

Around 250 residents supervised by the Coast Guard are working in two shifts to clean up the contaminated materials. The cleanup has reached 33 percent of the total affected areas and will be completed by April, said Capt. Arturo Olavario, head of the field operations group of the Coast Guard's Task Force Semirara.

Sadaba said their initial studies showed that the island is host to 21 mangrove species or 60 percent of the total 35 species in the country.

He said they would like to find out if the high diversity of the mangroves in the area has an impact on how the mangroves would react to stresses like oil contamination.

"We are interested in how the mangroves are reacting because they define other marine life like fish, crabs and shells," said Sadaba.

But he said the extent and long-term effects of the oil spill can only determined after a comprehensive study and continuous monitoring are completed.

There are already signs of dying of some mangroves like the yellowing of leaves but in other areas they appear to be adopting, said Sadaba.

He said the oil spill has also provided opportunities for innovation in the cleanup operations.

He cited the use of dagami (rice straw) as an absorbent instead of the absorbent pads that could have adverse effects on the environment. The Coast Guard is using rice straw as an alternative to the more expensive absorbent pads to separate the crude oil from the water.

The UPV Task Force Semirara, which is part of an inter-agency body formed to address the crisis, will conduct studies on the impact of the oil spill on mangroves, sea grass and shells as well as the socio-economic impact.

The inter-agency body includes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Coast Guard, Napocor and local government units of Antique and Semirara.

One of the main concerns of the agencies is to provide immediate livelihood assistance to the affected residents.*NPB

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