THE tanker that broke in half and sank apparently took most of its cargo of toxic fuel oil to the frigid bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, where it may solidify and pose less danger to fishing grounds and scenic beaches along northwestern Spain.

Cleanup crews braced today for the possibility of a massive oil spill and environmental catastrophe, propping up 18 miles of floating booms around the spot where an oil tanker broke in two and sank in the Atlantic.