How hazardous calcium carbide is for marine species?

A serious environmental crisis is unfolding off the Kochi coast. A cargo ship named MSC ELSA 3, registered in Liberia, sank in the Arabian Sea on May 25. The ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous chemicals. It also had large amounts of fuel on board. The vessel developed a severe tilt on May 24, forcing the crew to send out a distress call. By the next day, the ship had fully sunk. 

All 24 crew members were safely rescued following an intense operation by the Indian Coast Guard. The ship had been en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it started tilting sharply about 38 nautical miles southwest of the coast. Despite initial efforts to stabilise the vessel, it eventually capsized and sank.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) quickly issued warnings to the public, asking people not to touch any floating containers or oil that might wash ashore. Fishermen across the state have been advised to stay out of the sea until the situation is under control.

The Indian Coast Guard has launched a large-scale pollution response effort. Aircraft with oil spill mapping technology are scanning the area. Their ship Saksham, designed to handle marine pollution, is on site trying to contain the leaked fuel, which is drifting toward Kerala’s coast at around 3 km per hour.

What does ship contain?

According to official reports, MSC ELSA 3 was carrying large quantities of diesel, furnace oil, and marine gas oil. It had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil onboard. These fuels are extremely harmful to marine life and ecosystems if they leak into seawater.

More concerning are the 13 containers labelled as hazardous. Of these, 12 were carrying calcium carbide, a chemical known for its highly reactive properties. When calcium carbide comes into contact with water, it produces acetylene gas, which is extremely flammable. The risk of gas release under the sea or along the coast is high.

The Indian Coast Guard has confirmed the presence of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) as well. This oil is used for marine engines and, if spilled, can coat marine life, beaches, and corals with a thick, toxic layer.

This mix of chemicals and fuels creates a complex challenge. Cleanup teams must deal with both floating oil slicks and the threat of submerged or washed-up hazardous containers. These conditions make response efforts slower and more dangerous.

How dangerous is calcium in sea?

Calcium carbide is not just hazardous—it becomes even more dangerous in marine conditions. When it contacts seawater, it reacts rapidly, producing calcium hydroxide and acetylene gas. The reaction also generates heat, which adds to the risk of explosions or fires if gas accumulates in enclosed or semi-enclosed coastal areas.

Acetylene gas is not just flammable—it’s unstable in high concentrations. If the chemical containers break open underwater, the gas could be released in bursts. These could cause underwater explosions or put rescue and cleanup teams at risk during recovery efforts.

The second by-product, calcium hydroxide, increases the water’s alkalinity. This disrupts the balance of the marine environment. A sudden rise in pH levels can damage fish gills, coral reefs, and the eggs of aquatic animals. Many species cannot survive these chemical changes.

If the chemical spread continues unchecked, it could destroy breeding grounds and affect local fisheries. Kerala’s coastline supports thousands of small-scale fishers who depend on daily catches. The toxic effects of calcium carbide could push fish away or kill them outright, hurting both biodiversity and livelihoods.

This sinking has triggered one of the most serious environmental emergencies Kerala has faced in recent years. The presence of hazardous chemicals, heavy fuel, and the risk of chemical reactions in seawater all pose a long-term threat to the coastline.

The Indian Coast Guard and disaster response teams are racing against time to control the damage. A delay in containment could lead to oil and chemical waste reaching shorelines, affecting beach tourism, fishing ports, and coastal ecosystems.

The Kerala government has issued alerts and mobilised response units. Surveillance and public awareness are key steps being taken. Authorities have also requested the public to report any sightings of oil films or strange containers near the shore.

With the fuel and chemicals moving closer to land, the next few days will be critical. How quickly teams can identify, recover, and neutralise the hazardous materials will decide the extent of the damage. This incident underlines the urgent need for better regulations and emergency plans for ships carrying toxic cargo near ecologically sensitive areas.

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