The intentional sinking of a 60-year-old Brazilian aircraft-carrier, the São Paulo, has sent shockwaves through the conservation community, and could have a negative impact on the health of marine life in the Atlantic Ocean.

This controlled sinking has caused a major controversy and has been criticized by environmental groups who claim that the warship was packed with toxic materials, including 760 tons of asbestos and over 300 tons of PCB-contaminated materials, and heavy metals that could potentially pollute the ocean and harm marine life, Yahoo! reports.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / USN, License: Public Domain
Aft view from an approaching aircraft of the Brazilian aircraft carrier Saõ Paulo (A12), in 2003.

According to MercoPress, the Basel Action Network (BAN) has been urging the Brazilian Navy to return the ship to a naval base so they can properly survey the hazardous materials on board. However, the Navy chose to sink the ship instead, which BAN says is a violation of three international environmental treaties, including the Basel Convention and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

“We are in shock, because we have been asking the Brazilian Navy to simply return the ship to a naval base for months, to get a proper survey of the hazardous materials on board,” said Jim Puckett of the Basel Action Network (BAN). "Now it’s become clear that they would rather contaminate the environment and lose millions of dollars to avoid allowing further scrutiny of the true contents of the ship."

Puckett said that sinking the São Paulo was completely unnecessary and a waste of recyclable steel.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / USN, License: Public Domain
An Argentine Navy Grumman S-2T Tracker landing aboard the Brazilian aircraft carrier Saõ Paulo (A12), in 2003.

This act has received criticism from environmental organizations like the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, who are calling for an independent inquiry to understand why this happened and to prevent it from happening again.

The São Paulo was involved in France’s first nuclear tests in the 1960s and was later used in various regions, including Africa and the Middle East, Business Insider reports. Brazil purchased the vessel for $12 million in 2000 and had plans to scrap it, but those plans were stopped by Turkish environmental authorities in August.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Navy of Brazil, License: Public Domain
The Brazilian aircraft carrier São Paulo, formerly the Foch.

Over the coming decades, the sunken carrier will be leeching harmful compounds into the Atlantic, as well as worsening following negative impacts:

5. Release of toxic materials

The São Paulo was packed with hazardous materials, including an estimated 760 tonnes of asbestos, over 300 tonnes of PCB-contaminated material, and heavy metals, International Ship Recycling Association. The release of these toxic substances into the ocean can have serious consequences on the health of marine life, including fish and other sea creatures.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / USN, License: Public Domain
View of the forward flight deck of the Brazilian aircraft carrier Saõ Paulo (A12), in 2003. Four McDonnell Douglas AF-1 (A-4) Skyhawk fighters and an Argentine navy Grumman S-2T Tracker are visible.

4. Marine pollution

Studies show heavy metals and other toxic substances can leach into the water, polluting the marine environment and affecting the health of the ocean and its inhabitants. This could also have a significant impact on commercial fishing and seafood industries.

Photo: Sao Paulo carrier, Wikimedia Commons / NetMarine, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED
The decommissioned São Paulo was intentionally sank in the Atlantic Ocean.

3. Threat to marine life

The presence of a large sunken ship can attract marine life, which can become entangled in the debris or ingest toxic substances, NOAA Fisheries reports. This could cause harm to these creatures and impact the ecosystem in various ways.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Service of Public Relations of the Navy, License: Public Domain
The sunken carrier is now considered to have caused serious environmental damage.

2. Harm to coral reefs

According to Oceana, Coral reefs are home to an incredible diversity of marine life and play a critical role in maintaining the health of the ocean. The release of toxic substances from the São Paulo could harm these delicate ecosystems and negatively impact the species that depend on them.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / USN, License: Public Domain
The São Paulo was involved in France’s first nuclear tests in the 1960s and was later used in various regions, including Africa and the Middle East.

1. Loss of biodiversity

The ocean is home to a vast array of species, each with a unique role in maintaining a healthy and diverse ecosystem. The sinking of the São Paulo and the release of toxic materials into the ocean could lead to the loss of some species, further reducing the diversity of life in the ocean and affecting the ecosystem as a whole.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / USN, License: Public Domain
The crew of a Argentine Navy Grumman S-2 Tracker aboard the Brazilian aircraft carrier Saõ Paulo (A12), in 2003.

The sinking of the São Paulo has raised serious concerns about the impact it could have on the health of the Atlantic Ocean and the life it supports. It is important that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future and protect our oceans and marine life.We must continue to raise awareness and advocate for responsible waste management practices to protect our planet.

Join us in sending a message to the Brazilian Navy that calls for an end to the dangerous and hazardous practice of intentionally sinking large ships at sea!