The Dark Side Of Petroleum: Pollution's Growing Threat

Petroleum pollution has had a significant impact on the environment, and it is a topic of ongoing concern. The petroleum industry is responsible for a wide range of pollutants emitted at various stages of the oil production process, from extraction to consumption. The environmental impact of the petroleum industry is extensive due to the many uses of petroleum products. Crude oil extraction and transportation can disturb land and marine ecosystems, and oil spills have been a significant contributor to marine pollution. In addition, the combustion of oil and natural gas releases pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, mercury compounds, and nitrogen oxides, which have adverse effects on human health and the environment. While there have been efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the petroleum industry, such as the implementation of double-hull standards for oil tankers, the true extent of oil pollution, especially in marine areas, may be underestimated due to inadequate oversight and enforcement.

Oil spills and leaks

The environmental impact of oil spills is extensive. Oil penetrates the structure of the plumage of birds and the fur of mammals, reducing its insulating ability and making them more vulnerable to temperature changes and less buoyant in the water. Oil spills can also contaminate drinking water supplies, as seen in Miri, Malaysia, and Coca, Ecuador, in 2013, impacting 300,000 and 80,000 people, respectively. They can further cause respiratory distress, as seen with the Kuwaiti oil fires. Oil spills can harm sea creatures, ruin beaches, and make seafood unsafe to eat. Large oil spills are major disasters that can happen when pipelines break, big oil tanker ships sink, or drilling operations go wrong. They can have consequences for ecosystems and economies that last for decades.

Oil spills on land differ from maritime spills in that oil on land does not spread as quickly, and the effects remain local. However, oil can reach the oceans from land-based sources, with runoff oil and oil from rivers responsible for 11% of ocean oil pollution. Oil pipeline leaks are estimated to contribute 1% of oil pollution to the oceans, with only a fraction of the spilled oil reaching the oceans. Recreational boats can also spill oil into the ocean due to human error, but the amounts are typically small and hard to track due to underreporting.

Technological advances in exploration, production, and transportation of oil, as well as the enforcement of safety and environmental laws and regulations, have helped to avoid and reduce the negative impacts of oil spills. For example, after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989, the US Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, requiring new oil tankers built for use between US ports to have a full double hull. This, along with similar international standards, significantly reduced the amount of oil spilled from ships during the 1990s.

Fracking and water waste

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process that involves pumping fracking fluid at high pressure to create new fractures in the surrounding rock. This allows natural gas or oil to flow to the surface, along with contaminated wastewater. This wastewater, known as "produced water", is often highly saline and may contain toxic and carcinogenic contaminants, including chemicals that are hazardous to human health.

The disposal of this produced water is a significant challenge and a growing concern for the fracking industry. The most common method of disposal is to inject the wastewater into deep underground wells or rock formations. However, this practice has raised concerns about its potential impact on groundwater quality and the induction of seismic activity. In some cases, produced water is reused for drilling and fracking, especially in areas where it is less salty, such as Wyoming, where it is used for irrigation or livestock.

The reuse of produced water is also common in states like Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where natural gas companies often share this water with each other. However, the overall recycling of fracking water is still relatively low due to the complicated logistics and costs involved. Additionally, there are risks associated with transporting the water, as spills and leaks can contaminate surface water resources.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified the potential risks associated with fracking operations and wastewater management. While the EPA currently prohibits the discharge of produced water into surface waters and municipal wastewater treatment plants, there is ongoing consideration for changing this policy to provide more options for the fracking industry. However, the lack of data on the chemical composition of produced water remains a significant concern.

As natural gas production continues to increase, the volumes of produced water from the fracking industry are expected to surge as well. This growing trend underscores the importance of effective wastewater treatment and disposal guidelines to mitigate the negative effects of fracking on the environment and human health.

Air pollution

The health impacts of these pollutants are significant. A study published in the journal Environmental Research: Health found that air pollution from the oil and gas sector in the United States contributed to 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and 2,200 new cases of childhood asthma in 2016. The health risks are not limited to those living near oil and gas production sites, as pollutants can travel across state boundaries. Benzene, a known carcinogen, and other chemicals detected near oil and gas wells can cause cancer and other adverse health effects.

The impact of the oil and gas industry on air quality is not limited to a specific region but is a global issue. In Canada, for example, a recent study revealed that air pollution levels from oil sands operations were up to 64 times higher than previously reported by the industry. This pollution contains various compounds, including benzene and nitrous oxides, which are carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. The total amount of air pollution released from Canada's oil sands is equivalent to all other human-caused air pollution sources in the country combined.

While the oil and gas industry has taken steps to address air pollution, such as focusing on end-of-pipe pollution controls during combustion, these measures only address part of the problem. To effectively protect public health and the environment, it is crucial to consider the full life cycle of oil and gas, from production to consumption, and implement comprehensive strategies to reduce emissions and their associated health risks.

Furthermore, with over 95% of the world's population living in areas that do not meet current WHO air quality standards, the impact of air pollution from the oil and gas industry is a pressing global health concern. As the energy sector is the most significant contributor to climate change, it is essential to phase out fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy sources to improve air quality and mitigate the impacts of global warming.

Environmental impact on wildlife and nature

Petroleum has enabled plastics to be used to create a wide range of consumer items at extremely low production costs. However, the annual growth rates in plastic production are driven largely by single-use plastics, for which improper disposal is common. The majority of plastic is not recycled, and instead fragments into smaller pieces over time, becoming microplastics. These microplastics are observable in air, water, and soil samples from nearly every location on Earth's surface, and also within biological samples. The long-term effects of the environmental buildup of plastic waste are still unknown, but microplastics are a concern because they adsorb pollutants on their surface and have the ability to bioaccumulate.

The environmental impact of the petroleum industry is extensive due to petroleum having many uses. Crude oil and natural gas are primary energy and raw material sources that enable numerous aspects of modern daily life and the world economy. Their supply has grown quickly over the last 150 years to meet the demands of the rapidly increasing human population. Substantial quantities of toxic and non-toxic waste are generated during the extraction, refinement, and transportation stages of oil and gas. Some industry by-products, such as volatile organic compounds, nitrogen and sulfur compounds, and spilled oil can pollute the air, water, and soil at levels that are harmful to life when improperly managed.

Oil and gas drilling has a serious impact on wildlands and communities. Drilling projects operate around the clock, generating pollution, fueling climate change, disrupting wildlife, and damaging public lands. Oil and gas development poses a threat to ecosystems by occupying and fragmenting habitats for wildlife. They also cause soil erosion, sedimentation, vegetation loss, the spread of weeds, and soil compaction, which can lead to decreased biodiversity in the affected areas. The extraction and transportation of oil and gas release methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Oil spills and leaks contaminate water and soil and can cause irreparable damage to the environment and wildlife. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 spread oil across 68,000 square miles of sea surface and killed approximately 1 million seabirds, 5,000 marine mammals, and 1,000 sea turtles. Smaller spills during oil and gas extraction can also be dangerous. Loud noises, human movement, and vehicle traffic from drilling operations can disrupt animal communication, breeding, and nesting. Power lines, well pads, fences, and roads can also fragment habitats for many species.

Government regulations and inspections

One notable example is the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990 in the United States. The OPA was enacted in response to major oil spills, including the Exxon Valdez incident in 1989. This legislation strengthened the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to prevent and respond to catastrophic oil spills. It requires oil storage facilities and vessels to submit plans outlining their response to significant discharges. Additionally, the OPA established a trust fund financed by a tax on oil to address spills when the responsible party fails to take action.

Prior to the OPA, there were other efforts to address petroleum pollution. The California Fish and Game Commission, as early as 1917, recognized the harmful effects of oil on wildlife and the environment. In 1922, the New York Times reported on the growing problem of oil discharges, which led to the Oil Pollution Act of 1924. This act outlawed oil discharges from vessels into navigable waters of the U.S. and imposed punishments and fines. However, it was limited in scope and did not address accidental oil releases.

To further enhance preparedness and response capabilities, the EPA has implemented additional regulations. These include the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule and the Facility Response Plan (FRP) rule. The SPCC rule requires certain facilities to have written plans certified by professional engineers, maintain secondary containment for oil storage, and regularly inspect and update their procedures. The FRP rule mandates that facilities with a higher risk of release and impact prepare for "worst-case spills" by evaluating various discharge scenarios and conducting drills and response training.

Beyond legislation and regulations, government agencies also collaborate to prevent and mitigate petroleum pollution. For instance, the Department of Interior's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) adopted stricter regulations for blowout preventers and tightened well control requirements in 2016, although these regulations were relaxed in 2018. Additionally, the industry recognized the need for upgraded response capabilities as oil exploration moved into deeper waters. As a result, in 2010, several petroleum-related companies established the Marine Well Containment Company, a nonprofit focused on responding to deep-water blowouts.

In summary, government regulations and inspections are vital tools in the fight against petroleum pollution. Through legislation like the OPA, SPCC, and FRP rules, and collaboration between government agencies and industry, efforts are being made to prevent, prepare for, and effectively respond to oil spills and their environmental consequences. These measures aim to minimize the impact of petroleum pollution on our natural resources, including land, water, wildlife, and more.

Frequently asked questions