This amounts to about 3 million tonnes of oil a year. Most of the oil spilled comes from small spills, not from large accidents that make the news. Accidents occur on all the oceans of the world. So much oil is transported from the Middle East that there are more spills in that part of the world than anywhere else. Oil spills foul the fur and feathers of larger animals.
Spills can kill fish eggs and tiny ocean creatures that other animals feed on.
Oil spills foul beaches and shallow water plants that many animals eat. Companies reduce accidents by carefully planning their oil operations and training their employees. Some companies build tankers with double hulls to make them stronger in case of accident. Burning oil also causes environmental impacts Burning oil releases sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide into the air. The first two combine with water vapour to create acids, which fall to the Earth in rain and snow.