Beach Closures Due to Oil Contamination

The National Park Service has expanded a beach closure on Hatteras Island due to the discovery of petroleum contamination from a former military site, exacerbated by recent erosion that exposed hazardous materials like concrete and metal pipes. A 0.3-mile stretch has been closed for over a year, with an additional quarter-mile now included, prompting warnings for visitors to avoid the area. Meanwhile, in Gran Canaria, an oil spill during a vessel's refueling has led local authorities to declare an environmental emergency, closing several beaches. The spill involved approximately 3 metric tons of Very Low Sulphur Oil and has created a slick moving towards the coast, although currents have so far prevented it from affecting nearby drinking water production. Local officials are demanding accountability for the incident, highlighting its preventable nature and potential environmental harm. Both situations underscore the risks of contamination and the need for effective pollution response measures.