Albion II
1997
France
Europe
Bulk
HNS Spilt
Calcium carbideSolid
CaC2
Amount Spilt (T)114000
CAS Number75-20-7
-
D
Physical Behaviour (SEBC code)
-
-
Pollution Category (MARPOL Annex 2)
-
4.3
Class according to IMDG code
-
-
Subsidiary Risk Class according to IMDG code
-
Classification as Marine Pollutant
-
iv
HNS Classification (2010 HNS Convention)
Fate and weathering facts observed/reported
Calcium carbide is a solid (i.e. powder or lumps) which sinks, spontaneous and violently reacting with water and forming acetylene, a highly flammable and explosive gas (10 kg of calcium carbide gives off 3 to 4 m³ of acetylene). The shipwreck lies 120 m deep. Research suggests that the barrels would be unable to resist the pressure at such depth. It is therefore highly likely that the metal has been pierced and that water has infiltrated into the barrels and gas has been released. The risk of calcium carbide-filled barrels being caught in the nets of passing fishing boats, which would mean the release of inflammable gas when brought to the surface, is an unlikely hypothesis. However, it cannot be totally ruled out and ships are advised to be extremely carefully when trawling near the wreck.