Oil Spill Disaster: Aquatic Life At Risk

Oil spills are a significant cause of water pollution, with the United States National Research Council (NRC) estimating that approximately 1.3 million tonnes of oil are released into the sea each year. Oil spills can occur in many ways, from routine maintenance and non-point source pollution to accidental spills during mining, oil rig malfunctions, or damaged tankers. When oil spills into the ocean, it floats on the water surface, spreading and being pushed by wind and currents. This can have devastating effects on marine life, including birds, fish, seals, sea otters, and other creatures, as well as contaminating beaches and sediment. The clean-up process is challenging and expensive and can cause additional harm to sensitive habitats. While some progress has been made in reducing oil spills, there is still much work to be done to protect our ocean ecosystem and water sources.

Oil spills from large tankers

One of the worst oil spills in recent history involved the tanker Sanchi, which collided with a Chinese cargo ship near Shanghai in 2018. The Iranian-owned vessel was carrying 136,000 tonnes of oil, and the spill resulted in the death of all crew members. This accident polluted the East China Sea and was classified as one of the worst disasters in the last 30 years.

Another notable oil spill occurred in 1989 when the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This incident released 11 million gallons of oil, affecting more than 1,300 miles of shoreline and causing immense damage to fish, wildlife, and their habitats. The sensitive location and scale of this spill made it one of the largest environmental disasters in US history.

To address the issue of oil spills from large tankers, regulations such as MARPOL have been implemented. MARPOL prohibits discharges within certain distances of land and has contributed to a significant reduction in oil spills. However, there is still progress to be made in preventing and mitigating the impacts of oil spills on the environment.

Oil spills during routine ship maintenance

It is important to note that big oil spills typically account for only 5 to 12% of total oil pollution that enters the ocean. However, they are especially serious due to the heavy concentration of oil in a specific region. Oil spills can severely contaminate beaches and sediments, causing serious harm to marine wildlife. The oil can suffocate fish, coat the feathers of birds and mammals, impeding their movement, and block light from reaching photosynthetic plants in the water.

In addition to the environmental impact, oil spills can also have significant economic consequences. Any nation or tourist destination close to oil drilling or shipping lanes is at high risk of experiencing economic collapse due to the disastrous effects of oil spills. Therefore, it is crucial for these areas to be adequately prepared for restoration and cleanup efforts.

To prevent oil spills during routine ship maintenance, certain preventive measures should be integrated into daily operations. For example, before starting any fueling, de-fueling, or internal transfer operations, all machinery and piping systems should be thoroughly checked for tightness and any signs of leaking glands, seals, and gaskets. Proper care should be taken when changing oil or adding oil to machinery to avoid spills.

Furthermore, individual tanks within ships are limited in size to minimize the damage caused by a leak in one compartment. Regulations such as MARPOL, which prohibit discharges within certain distances of land, have contributed to a significant reduction in oil spills. However, there is still progress to be made in terms of oil spill prevention and cleanup.

Oil spills from industrial or domestic operations

Industrial operations, including transportation and transfers of oil, increase the risk of oil spills. The process of transporting oil from its source to its use often involves multiple transfers between ocean tankers, pipelines, trains, and trucks. As the number of transfers increases, so does the likelihood of a spill. Regions with intense industrial operations and oil transportation are more prone to oil spills.

Routine ship operations, such as bilge pumping, also contribute to oil pollution. Bilge is a mixture of oil and water, and while individual discharges are small, the cumulative effect of thousands of releases into the oceans adds up to a significant amount of pollution. It is important to note that releasing bilge into ocean waters is illegal, so the actual number of discharges may be higher than reported.

Domestic operations can also lead to oil spills. Spills in fuel depots, oil leaks from vehicles, and improper disposal of paint or oil down storm drains can all contribute to water pollution. These spills often end up in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing harm to aquatic ecosystems.

Additionally, cleanup activities after an oil spill must be carefully executed to avoid further damage. Burning oil during cleanup operations can release hydrocarbons, which contribute to air pollution and acid rain. Acid rain can have detrimental effects on water bodies, plants, and even infrastructure. Therefore, it is crucial to minimize the impact of oil spills through proper waste disposal, adherence to safety regulations, and effective cleanup strategies that consider the potential for additional harm.

Oil spills from industrial and domestic operations have significant environmental consequences. These spills can harm marine life, contaminate beaches, and impact the safety of seafood. It is essential to address these spills through proper waste management, improved industrial practices, and public education to reduce the frequency and severity of oil spills and minimize their impact on water bodies.

Oil spills due to rig malfunctions or attacked tankers

Another tragic event is the Piper Alpha oil rig disaster, regarded as the worst in terms of human loss. On July 6, 1988, a gas leak triggered multiple explosions on the platform located 120 miles off the coast of Scotland, killing 165 workers. The North Sea disaster, as it is known, had a significant impact on oil production in the UK and is one of the most expensive disasters, costing around $5 billion.

Oil spills from rigs can also occur due to collisions with other vessels. In July 2005, the Mumbai High North platform collided with a support vessel, resulting in a fire that killed 22 people and caused a significant oil spill and gas leakage, damaging production in the area. Similarly, in 1983, an Iranian oil platform in the Persian Gulf was struck by a tanker, rupturing the wellhead and leaking about 63,000 gallons of oil per day before it was capped in September of that year.

While thousands of smaller oil spills occur each year, these major incidents highlight the deadly consequences of rig malfunctions and attacks. The environmental fallout includes fouled coastlines, polluted fisheries, injured and dead wildlife, and lost tourism revenue. The cleanup process is complex and challenging, and even with advancements in technology, it is challenging to mitigate the damage caused by these disasters fully.

Oil spills and their impact on marine life

Oil spills can have devastating effects on marine life, causing both immediate and long-term harm to a wide range of species. While large, notable incidents like Deepwater Horizon tend to be the most well-known, thousands of smaller oil spills occur each year, and collectively, these smaller spills discharge more oil into the water than the major spills. Oil spills can harm sea creatures, ruin beaches, and make seafood unsafe to eat.

The impact of an oil spill depends on the type of oil, where it is spilled, and which animals, plants, and people it affects. Most oils float, so sea otters and seabirds are among the most affected by oil spills, as they spend time on the sea surface or on shorelines. Seabirds are often harmed and killed in greater numbers than other creatures during oil spills. The oil destroys the insulating ability of the fur of mammals like sea otters, and the water-repellent nature of birds' feathers, exposing them to harsh elements. Without the ability to repel water and insulate themselves, these creatures can die from hypothermia.

Other animals are also affected. Juvenile sea turtles can become trapped in oil and mistake it for food. Dolphins and whales can inhale oil, which affects their lungs, immune function, and reproduction. Many birds and animals ingest oil when they try to clean themselves, which poisons them. Fish, shellfish, and corals may not be exposed immediately, but they can come into contact with oil if it is mixed into the water column. Shellfish can also be exposed in the intertidal zone. Fish may experience reduced growth, enlarged livers, changes in heart and respiration rates, fin erosion, and impaired reproduction. Even when lethal impacts are not observed, oil can make fish and shellfish unsafe for humans to consume.

Cleanup operations can also cause harm. After the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, it was found that the high-pressure, hot-water hoses used to clean up beaches caused more damage than the oil alone. The use of dispersants can help reduce exposure to harmful effects caused by the inhalation of toxic materials, but they may also increase the harmful effects of oil on the insulation abilities of bird feathers, and cause oil particles to reach benthic animals in deeper waters.

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