Friday's pipeline explosion, is causing serious pollution to nearby waters. With cleanup work underway, authorities are scrambling to bring the damage under control.

It's almost 20 kilometers from the accident site - Dalian Xin'gang Harbor. Oil slick can be seen everywhere on the surface of the ocean, with white waves becoming brown and yellow.

The closer one approaches the harbor, the thicker the oil on the surface becomes, reaching up to ten centimeters thick.

The area around Xin'gang Harbor is still shrouded by heavy smoke rising from burning tanks. This area has suffered the most pollution, with oil blackening the sea.

Authorities have begun clean up work, dispatching aircraft and ships to monitor pollution levels. Workers are spraying degreasing agents, together with absorbent mats to soak up the oil slick. Inspection ships are carrying out tests, to understand the scope and extent of the pollution.

State Oceanic Administration staff said, "We have to test the plankton, pollutants cover a high proportion of the sea, and have reached three to four times normal levels. This has had a great impact on the ecological environment, severely harming the fishing industry."

Despite the setbacks, workers are optimistic about the cleanup work.

Fang Jianmeng, leader of Dalian Accident Inspection Team, said, "From our inspection, the oil leak expanded due to the wind and currents but it is being contained within Dalian Bay. Cleanup work on the surface may not last too long, but the impact on the ecological environment will have long term effects."

An official with the China National Petroleum Corporation said Sunday it would do its best to reduce the impact of the oil pipeline explosion.

Oil has stopped leaking into the sea after a valve was closed. The oil that entered the sea has also been contained.

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