Three Years Later: MV Wakashio Spill's Lingering Impact on Mauritius Mangroves

**Three years after the MV Wakashio ran aground off Mauritius, spilling 1000 tonnes of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO),** researchers from Curtin University have confirmed the spill's lingering presence in sensitive mangrove forests near Ramsar conservation sites. **Dr. Alan Scarlett's team used advanced chemical techniques** to match the oil in the mangrove sediments to the Wakashio's fuel, providing the first official confirmation of its source. This research is critical as little is known about how VLSFO behaves post-spill. **Analysis revealed that while the oil had weathered, reducing some toxic compounds, it still poses unknown risks** to the mangrove ecosystem. **The study utilized unique chemical fingerprints and NOAA's oil spill models to compare VLSFO with traditional fuels,** revealing that Wakashio's fuel was more likely to evaporate or disperse than traditional fuels, though its impact remains uncertain. This research, published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, underscores the importance of understanding new marine fuels' environmental impacts.