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Brazil Braces as Mysterious Oil Spill Nears Coral Reef

Associated Press

   RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil's Navy said Tuesday it is preparing for an oil
   spill to possibly reach one of the country's largest coral reef
   systems, amid public outcry regarding the government's early response
   to the spill.

   Adm. Leonardo Puntel said three ships are already onsite at the reef
   with another two on the way, and that a helicopter will be conducting
   flyovers. They will work to spot any heavy crude and, if detected,
   deploy divers to retrieve the masses of dense crude before they can
   contaminate the protected area.

   The Abrolhos Marine National Park, off the coast of Bahia state, is
   home to rare coral formations and is a popular scuba dive site. The
   mysterious spill started showing up on Brazil's northeastern coastline
   on Sept. 2, and has now contaminated 254 beaches, mangroves and
   estuaries in nine states.

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