The oil spill at Terminal 2 of the La Pampilla Refinery and its effects on the biodiversity of the coasts of the marine littoral, Peru

Abstract

On January 15, 2022, an oil spill occurred at the multi-buoy terminal 2 of La Pampilla refinery, Ventanilla (Lima – Peru), during the Mare Doricum tanker crude oil unloading operation. This research is based on documentary analysis, its empirical, exploratory, explanatory orientation, linked to real and predictive phenomena. The evaluation period runs from January 15 to March 30, 2022. The affected area includes 1 840 490m2 of land and 7 139 571m2 of marine habitats along public use beaches. The crude oil impact extends from Ventanilla to Chancay, including the Ancon Reserved Zone and a portion of the Guano Islands, Islets, and Mainland Point System National Reserve. Biodiversity made up of algae, marine and fish invertebrates, birds, and mammals have been affected at different intensity levels. The number of affected species would range between 300 and 500 species. This paper aims to analyze the impact of the oil spill on the biological diversity of coastal habitats from Ventanilla to Chancay.