Oil Pollution: A Major Environmental Concern?

Oil is an ancient fossil fuel that is used to make a wide range of products, from fuels to medicines and plastics. It is also used to generate electricity and power large sectors of the economy. However, oil is a major cause of pollution and has a significant impact on the environment. Oil spills, for example, can contaminate soil and water, harm wildlife, and cause devastating explosions and fires. They can also release harmful pollutants into the air and discharge dangerous chemicals into the water, degrading the clean air and water that humans and animals depend on for survival. Oil spills are not the only way that oil causes pollution; the process of finding, producing, and moving oil can also have negative effects on the environment.

Oil spills and their impact on wildlife

Oil spills can have devastating effects on wildlife, causing both immediate and long-term harm to various species. The impact of an oil spill on wildlife depends on factors such as the type of oil, the environment, and the species affected.

Effects on Marine Life

Marine life, including fish, shellfish, and corals, can suffer severe consequences from oil spills. Oil can cause physical harm to fish, leading to reduced growth, enlarged livers, changes in heart and respiration rates, fin erosion, and impaired reproduction. Even when the oil does not cause immediate lethal impacts, it can make seafood unsafe for human consumption. Shellfish are particularly vulnerable in the intertidal zone, where they can be directly exposed to oil. Corals, although not immediately affected, can also suffer indirect harm when oil is mixed into the water column.

Effects on Birds and Mammals

Oil spills can have dire effects on birds and mammals, especially those with fur or feathers that provide insulation and water repellency. When oil coats the fur of mammals like sea otters and fur seals, it reduces their ability to stay warm, leading to hypothermia. Similarly, oil on the feathers of birds can lead to the same fatal consequence. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable during oil spills and are often harmed or killed in greater numbers than other creatures.

Effects on Coastal Wildlife

Coastal wildlife, including sea turtles, can experience both immediate and long-term impacts from oil spills. Sea turtles, especially juveniles, can become trapped in oil and mistake it for food. Additionally, the ingestion of oil or consumption of prey exposed to oil can lead to health issues in coastal wildlife. Oil spills can also disrupt the nesting and foraging habits of species that inhabit shorelines.

Cleanup Challenges

Cleanup efforts after an oil spill can be challenging, and complete removal of the spilled oil is often impossible. The type of oil matters, as light oils are more volatile and can ignite or explode, while heavy oils can persist in the environment for extended periods if not removed. The methods used during cleanup can also impact wildlife, as certain synthetic materials and high-pressure, hot-water hoses can cause additional harm.

Oil spills have significant negative impacts on wildlife, affecting their health, behaviour, and ability to survive. The varying effects on different species and environments make it crucial to have specialized knowledge for effective response and mitigation strategies.

Oil exploration and drilling techniques

One of the most common drilling methods is rotary drilling, which is often used for exploratory and production wells exceeding 5 miles in depth. Rotary mobile and floating drills of various sizes are used, with the equipment mounted on a platform with a high derrick. The setup includes a rotary table, engine, mud mixer, injector pump, winch, and pipe sections. The rotary table directs the square kelly, which connects to the drilling pipe, with the pipe rotating at 40-250 rpm. Fluid circulation inside the pipe removes cuttings.

Another technique is percussion, or cable, drilling, a manual method that employs a hammering bit attached to a long cable that is lowered into a wide-open hole. The driller uses a tripod to support the tools, and the back-and-forth motion of the bit loosens the soil, which is then extracted. At intervals, the operator removes the bit, and the cuttings, suspended in water, are pumped to the surface. A steel casing prevents the hole from collapsing and safeguards groundwater against contamination.

Directional drilling is a newer technique that allows for drilling along a curved path to access reservoirs located horizontally away from the drilling site, such as under mountains, bodies of water, or densely populated areas. It is particularly useful for drilling in regions with complex geological conditions. This technique has been implemented in places like Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine, with potential energy and material savings.

Other advanced drilling techniques include horizontal drilling, which increases exposure to the reservoir rock, and multilateral drilling, which allows producers to tap into reserves at different depths from a single well. Extended Reach Drilling enables access to deposits located far from the drilling rig, reducing the number of platforms needed, while Complex Path Drilling creates well paths with multiple twists and turns to reach multiple accumulations from a single location.

As technology advances, drilling engineers must stay updated with new methods and techniques to improve efficiency, minimize risks, and adapt to changing conditions.

Oil pollution in water sources

Oil spills can harm sea creatures, including marine birds, mammals, fish, and shellfish. Oil destroys the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals, such as sea otters, and impairs the water-repelling properties of birds' feathers, leaving them vulnerable to harsh elements. Additionally, oil spills can ruin beaches and make seafood unsafe for human consumption. The cleanup process after an oil spill is challenging, and even with advanced technology, it is impossible to remove 100% of the spilled oil.

Beyond oil spills, there are other significant sources of oil pollution in water. These include routine shipping operations, run-offs from industrial and domestic sources, and dumping. Oil can enter water bodies through storm drains, carrying spills from fuel depots, vehicle leaks, and the improper disposal of paint or oil. Asphalt runoff is a significant contributor, with a city of five million people potentially discharging as much oil into the water as a large oil tanker spill.

The extraction and development of oil and gas resources also pose risks to water sources. The construction of roads, pipelines, and support infrastructure can degrade and destroy vital habitats and interfere with migratory pathways. It also increases the likelihood of collisions with marine mammals. Seismic noises generated during exploration can disorient and injure marine species that rely on sound for navigation and communication. Furthermore, the discharge of chemicals and waste from oil and gas operations can contaminate water, impacting the survival of both wildlife and humans.

Oil pollution in water has severe ecological, economic, and social impacts. It disrupts the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, endangers wildlife, and compromises water quality for human consumption and recreational activities. Addressing oil pollution requires a combination of prevention, stringent regulations, improved cleanup technologies, and collaborative efforts between governments, industries, and communities to minimize its occurrence and mitigate its detrimental effects on the environment and public health.

Air pollution from fossil fuels

Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are significant contributors to air pollution. When burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. This leads to global warming, with average global temperatures already having increased by 1°C. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has attributed emissions from fossil fuels as the dominant cause of global warming.

In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions were attributed to fossil fuels and industry. Oil, in particular, is responsible for approximately one-third of the world's total carbon emissions. The combustion of fossil fuels also releases fine particulate matter, known as PM 2.5, which includes soot. These emissions have severe health impacts, particularly on children and vulnerable communities.

A recent study published in Environmental Research found that exposure to PM 2.5 from burning fossil fuels caused approximately 8.7 million deaths globally in 2018. This figure is more than twice the previous estimates and does not even include deaths caused by long-term exposure to ozone air pollution or smog, which are also driven by fossil fuel combustion. The highest number of premature deaths occurred in China and India, totalling nearly five million. Other severely affected areas include Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and parts of the United States.

The health impacts of air pollution from fossil fuels are wide-ranging. They include respiratory illnesses, cognitive and behavioural development impairments, and other chronic diseases. These issues may be "'seeded'" in utero and can affect health and functioning throughout an individual's life. Fossil fuel combustion by-products, such as toxic air pollutants and CO2, are considered the world's most significant threat to children's health and future. They contribute to global inequality and environmental injustice, as vulnerable communities disproportionately bear the burden of disease and developmental impairment.

To address this pressing issue, a transition to renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency is imperative. While fossil fuel companies have promoted natural gas as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil, it is still a significant contributor to carbon emissions, accounting for a fifth of the world's total. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to reducing emissions and mitigating the health and environmental impacts of air pollution from fossil fuels is crucial.

Oil and gas drilling in wildlands

Oil and gas are fossil fuels that are used to make a wide range of products and power large sectors of the economy. However, the process of extracting these resources can have a detrimental impact on the environment. Oil and gas drilling in wildlands can cause significant harm to these areas and the wildlife that inhabits them.

Firstly, the construction of roads, pipelines, and buildings can destroy large areas of untouched wilderness. This infrastructure can degrade and destroy important habitats, as well as interfere with the movement of migratory animals. For example, the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a proposed 370-mile pipeline to carry natural gas from West Virginia to North Carolina, threatens to destroy old-growth forests, trails, and farms. Similarly, the Trump administration's push to open up Alaska's wild landscapes to drilling and mining would put more than 13 million acres of intact landscapes at risk.

Secondly, the noise and activity associated with drilling operations can disrupt animal communication, breeding, and nesting. Seismic noises from oil and gas companies exploring for offshore oil can be deafening for marine mammals, causing injury, confusion, and even death. Increased shipping traffic can also increase the potential for collisions with these animals, especially whales.

Thirdly, oil spills are a major concern with drilling operations. While large spills like the Deepwater Horizon incident are well-known, thousands of smaller spills occur each year, even in top-producing states. These spills can have devastating effects on local wildlife and ecosystems, and cleanup efforts can never remove 100% of the spilled oil. The toxicity of oil can poison exposed organisms, and the effects of a spill can last from a few days to decades.

Overall, oil and gas drilling in wildlands can have severe and long-lasting impacts on these fragile areas. To protect wildlands and the environment, it is crucial to transition to renewable energy sources and reduce fossil fuel drilling.

Frequently asked questions