The first in a series of Government tests has found that the highly explosive gas escaping from Total’s stricken Elgin platform has not affected the marine life in the area.
Sensory “taste testing” of fish collected from close to the installation has concluded that no taint of hydrocarbons has been found in the samples.
Over the weekend the marine research vessel Alba na Mara collected fish, water and sediment samples from the edge of the two-mile exclusion zone around the French energy giant’s leaking platform 150 miles east of Aberdeen.
The first-stage testing of the fish samples involved the specially-trained panel of sensory testers at Marine Scotland science’s lab in Aberdeen, which can detect the taint of hydrocarbon contamination in fish.
Full chemical testing of all environmental samples is continuing and more results are expected by the end of this week.
Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The environmental impact of this gas leak has been minimal so far. However, it’s important we take precautions and analyse all available data.
“Therefore it’s reassuring that sensory testing of the fish samples gathered by the Alba na Mara have found they are untainted by hydrocarbons.
“Marine Scotland Science has the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to carry out this work effectively, including the UK’s only specially-trained sensory panel. We will continue our monitoring activities for the duration of this incident so we can assess any impact on the marine environment and respond as needed.”
Samples covering seven species of fish were gathered using a bottom trawl. Seawater samples were taken and sediment samples were collected using a grab sampler. A total of 210 individual taint tests were carried out using the collected fish samples.
The same sensory panel and marine scientists who undertook analysis work relating to the Shell Gannet incident last year were involved in the environmental testing work for the Elgin platform.
Environmental samples were also collected by Greenpeace earlier last week and are being analysed by independent laboratories.