A mystery spill near Postville, on the north coast of Labrador, is dissipating according to aerial surveillance from the scene.
The spill, which was estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 litres on Monday, was down to about 950 litres yesterday.
The Coast Guard’s Deputy Superintendent of Environmental Response, Larry Crann, says the source of the pollutant has not yet been identified.
He says the fact that the numbers are going down suggests it was a “batch release.”
Residents say the spill appeared to coincide with a recent oil delivery to the community. Crann can’t say for sure if that’s the source of the spill.
He says the investigation into identifying the source of a spill can be complex, and involves identifying the source so it can be stopped, and a clean-up carried out.
Samples of the pollutant, which is a lighter-type product according to Crann, have been collected for identification.
Province Working With Federal Government to Ensure Proper Cleanup, Assures Osborne
Meanwhile, the MHA for Torngat Mountains, Lela Evans, says she is concerned about the environmental impact the spill will have on the area.
The minister responsible for Service NL, Tom Osborne, says the provincial government is also deeply concerned and will work with the federal government to ensure it is cleaned up properly.
Evans says she knows that spills in the water are a federal responsibility, but she asks the Minister what the provincial government is doing to clean up the spill that is impacting Inuit owned lands.
Osborne says any time there is a spill that impacts the land it concerns everyone. However, Service NL officials have been working with Environment Canada and the Coast Guard to clean it up.