Oil Spills: The Impact of this ‘Sticky Situation’ on the Environment
By: Tgc Team
Tags: Oceans, Sustainability, Oil Spill, Marine, Environment

Oil Spills: The Impact of this ‘Sticky Situation’ on the Environment

By Sanaya Tonsekar

Did you know that a single, large-scale oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico harmed 82,000 birds of over 102 different species, more than 6,165 sea turtles, and approximately 25,900 marine mammals? How about the fact that oil spills, which contribute to the depletion of oxygen and petroleum toxicity, can also impact humans negatively. Inhalation of fumes or direct contact near the area where the oil spill has taken place may contribute to dizziness, nausea, respiratory diseases, as well as hormonal and genetic disruptions in the long-term.

An oil spill occurring off the southeast coast of Mauritius.

The most common causes of oil spills occur especially due to accidents that involve refineries, pipelines, tankers, drilling rigs and storage facilities. These can also be caused by careless human behaviour, equipment malfunctions and natural disasters. When an oil spill occurs, the oil floats on the surface of saltwater or freshwater. It then continues to spread rapidly, which forms a thin layer on the surface of the water, making it highly toxic for marine life.

Oil reduces the insulation ability of mammals that have fur, exposing them to harsh conditions. Without the ability to provide themselves with insulation, various mammals and birds die from conditions such as hypothermia. Sea creatures such as dolphins and whales may ingest and inhale the oil, which negatively impacts their respiratory and immune systems. Moreover, the oil spill catastrophe not only results in the pollution of air and water, but it can also create an imbalance in the pH and salinity levels of the water, which is harmful to aquatic life.

The most common method of cleaning up an oil spill is by using ‘Booms and Skimmers’. Booms are floating barriers placed around the oil and help in collecting the oil. On the other hand, skimmers can be sponges, vacuums or oil-absorbent ropes that help move the oil from the surface of the water. Skimmers are often used along with the booms. Together, they help drastically reduce the presence of oil on the water’s surface, thereby reducing the number of toxins and proving to be beneficial for the aquatic environment.

Various steps can be taken to ensure that oil spills do not occur. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the fuel tanks are not overfilled; filling more than 90% of fuel increases the chances of spills taking place. Ensure that regular inspections of equipment are conducted in order to certify that there are no possibilities for malfunctions. Lastly, it is imperative to properly dispose of the used oil as per standard protocol.

Even though we may not think much about this, it is important for us to realise the human impact on the environment, particularly on our oceans. Although the discussion about oil spills is slowly fading away, one must not forget that they are incredibly devastating, and can have lasting impacts on the wellbeing and survival of marine life.

Works Cited

“How Do Spills Happen? | Response.Restoration.Noaa.Gov.” Noaa.Gov, 2014, response.restoration.noaa.gov/training-and-education/education-students-and-teachers/how-do-spills-happen.html#:~:text=Oil%20spills%20into%20rivers%2C%20bays,drilling%20rigs%2C%20and%20storage%20facilities.&text=Spills%20can%20be%20caused%20by,equipment%20breaking%20down. Accessed 7 Oct. 2020.

“Oil Spill Effects | Environmental Pollution Centers.” Environmentalpollutioncenters.Org, 2010, www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/oil-spill/effects/#:~:text=Environmental%20Effects%20of%20Oil%20Spill,the%20environment%20may%20be%20affected.&text=For%20instance%2C%20oil%20spills%20can,feeding%2C%20and%20thermo%2Dregulation. Accessed 5 Oct. 2020.

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