Mozambique Channel

Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) are sometimes used as power sources for space systems. In April 1964, a United States RTG navigational satellite, SNAP 9A, reentered the atmosphere and burned up at high altitude over the Mozambique Channel, releasing 629 trillion becquerels (TBq), equivalent to 17,000 Ci, of Pu and 0.48 TBq of Pu (Whicker and Schultz 1982a Richmond 1989). In January 1978, a Soviet RTG satellite, Kosmos 954, reentered the atmosphere over Canada and spread radiouranium across parts of that country (Richmond 1989). The amount of radioactive materials in space applications is expected to increase (Richmond 1989). 

Another known accident contributing to marine contamination was the burn-up of a US satellite (SNAP 9A) above the Mozambique channel in 1964 which released 0.63 PBq Pu and 0.48 TBq Pu 73% was eventually deposited in the southern hemisphere. 

This accident occurred on April 17,1992 when an oil tanker named "Katina P" carrying 66,700 tons of heavy fuel oil from Venezuela to the United Arab Emirates was disabled by a freak wave during its transition through the Mozambique Channel. Approximately 3000 tons of heavy fuel oil was released into the channel because the vessel lost hull plating amid ships [3,32]. 

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