Calcium Carbide: The Liberian container ship MSC Elsa 3 (IMO number 9123221) tilted near the Kochi coast sank this morning. The ship contains calcium carbide, furnace oil and many other dangerous materials.

Liberian Vessel: After the sinking of the ship, the concerns of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) have increased. Oil is flowing from the ship at a speed of three kilometers per hour, due to which the Kerala government has issued an alert in the entire state and has asked not to go into the sea. Let us know about the calcium carbide filled in this ship, how harmful is the oil leak.

What was on the ship

The Liberian ship had 640 containers, of which 13 contained hazardous materials and 12 contained calcium carbide. Apart from this, the ship had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil. After the ship sank, the real tension is of leakage and pollution. Apart from this, it also contained marine gas oil (MGO) and very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has deployed its pollution control ship 'Saksham' and is using advanced technology aircraft to detect the oil leak.

How dangerous is calcium carbide

Calcium carbide, or calcium acetylide (CaC₂), is a colorless solid made by heating lime and coke in an electric furnace at a temperature of about 2000 degrees Celsius. It is mainly used to make acetylene gas. When this gas comes in contact with water, it triggers a chemical reaction. This reaction forms acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide and releases heat.

These problems occur

Acetylene gas causes bubbles in the water, and it also reduces the amount of oxygen in the water, which can cause death of fish as well as aquatic creatures. Apart from this, the reproductive capacity of aquatic creatures can be reduced due to the effect of acetylene gas and it can also affect the entire population. Also, let us tell you that due to this the water gets contaminated and whoever comes in contact with this water may face problems like stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation, allergy or rash. In such a situation, a lot of caution is being taken on the sea coast.