Petrobras has stepped up efforts to prevent thick crude oil from contaminating the South Atlantic Ocean . It has deployed 10 frigates alongside a fleet of 10 vessels to halt the mystery slick. Lucas Landau/File Photo Marine biologists warn that the thick sludge of crude oil that has washed up along 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) of northeastern beaches for the last two months would have a devastating impact on the five small islands of Abrolhos. OiI has been washing ashore along Brazil 's 2,500 km of beaches for several weeks . Experts said there would be a "bigger environmental disaster" if it reached OiI . Around 2,000 mt has already been cleaned up, while efforts to identify the source are ongoing. Abrolhos recently said tests showed the oil appeared to have Venezuelan properties.
Petrobras has stepped up efforts to prevent thick crude oil from contaminating the South Atlantic Ocean . It has deployed 10 frigates alongside a fleet of 10 vessels to halt the mystery slick. OiI has been washing ashore along Brazil 's 2,500 km of beaches for several weeks . Experts said there would be a "bigger environmental disaster" if it reached OiI . Around 2,000 mt has already been cleaned up, while efforts to identify the source are ongoing. Abrolhos recently said tests showed the oil appeared to have Venezuelan properties.