Impact of Oil Spills on Environment

Context

The Typhoon Gaemi has wreaked havoc across Taiwan, the Philippines and parts of southeastern China, resultant heavy rains led to the sinking of the oil tanker laden with 1.4 million litres of oil, in Manila Bay.

Oil spill | Definition, Causes, Effects, List, & Facts | Britannica

About

  • Oil spills arise while crude oil or delicate petroleum products are launched into the environment, typically because of injuries at some point of transportation, offshore drilling, or tanker mishaps. These spills may have both instantaneous and lengthy-term effects for ecosystems and human communities.
  • Spilled materials: It may be subtle petroleum products, which include gasoline and diesel fuel, in addition to their by-products — heavier fuels used by massive ships including bunker fuel or oily refuse of any type.
    • Gasoline, as an instance, is worse than crude oil as it’s lighter and more toxic.

Types of Oil Spills

  • Major Incidents: These are more extreme and regularly result from pipeline breaks, tanker accidents (sinking or running aground), or drilling mishaps. The results of important spills can be felt for decades.
  • Minor Spills: These arise at some stage in routine operations, which includes when oil spills from a ship in the course of refuelling.

Related Environmental Impacts

  • Marine Life and Habitats:
      • Physical Effects: Oil coats the surface of the water, lowering sunlight penetration. This disrupts photosynthesis and influences marine flora like algae and seagrass.
      • Chemical Effects: Toxic components in oil damage fish, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms. These toxins can accumulate inside the food chain.
      • Birds and Mammals: Oil can kill surface-living animals and birds through poisoning or suffocation. It also impacts buoyancy and natural waterproofing, making animals susceptible.
  • Coastal and Marine Environments:
      • Recovery Time: Coastal and marine ecosystems can take numerous decades to recover from oil pollutants. Even after visible signs disappear, lingering consequences persist.
      • Mangroves and Wetlands: These sensitive habitats suffer from oil contamination, affecting their capability to help biodiversity.
  • Economic Impact:
    • Fisheries: Oil spills disrupt fishing activities, leading to economic losses for coastal communities.
    • Tourism: Contaminated seashores and water discourage tourism, impacting regional economies.

Measures to Address Oil Spills

  • Prevention: Strict guidelines for oil tankers, pipelines, and offshore platforms; Improved protection protocols in the course of oil transport and extraction.
  • Response and Cleanup: Rapid containment and restoration of spilled oil; Use of booms, skimmers, and dispersants; Natural processes (such as microbial degradation) play a function in breaking down oil.

Control Measures for Oil Spills

  • Bioremediation: It refers to using specific microorganisms to eliminate any poisonous or dangerous materials
    • The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) has developed Oil Zapper Bacteria that may degrade the oil fast.
  • Oil Booms: They are brief floating boundaries used to incorporate marine spills, shield the environment, and help in recovery. 
  • Using Dispersants: Dispersal retailers are chemical substances which are sprayed upon the spill with the help of aircraft and boats, which are a useful resource for the natural breakdown of oil components.

Global Efforts

  • International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): It was rolled out through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 1973 and acknowledged the need for worldwide coherent efforts for curtailing oil spill.
  • International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation 1990: It is the international system that gives a framework designed to facilitate global cooperation and mutual assistance in getting ready for and responding to fundamental oil pollutants incidents.
  • UN Environment Programme (UNEP): It specializes in elevating recognition, ability-building, and promoting quality practices to prevent and respond to oil spills.
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): It tracks recovery measures with environmental effect. Green recovery plans can decorate energy safety and environmental outcomes.
  • International Energy Agency (IEA): It emphasises transitioning to cleanser electricity assets to lessen oil dependency and mitigate environmental risks.

Indian Efforts for managing Oil Spill

  • National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP): It was promulgated in 1996 and revised in 2015. It specializes in powerful reporting of spillage, set off response to prevent, manipulate and fight oil pollution, and good enough safety to Public Health and Welfare along Marine Environment, in conjunction with using Science and Technology for stopping and handling oil spills and pollution and residuals.
  • Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: The Act, describes the energy to offer a notice to the proprietor, while the relevant government is happy the ship isn’t always as according to the prescribed regulations. After observation, if the character fails to conform, the authorities can convict the individual of an offence.
  • Indian Coast Guard: It features as the Central Coordinating Authority for response to Oil spills in Indian waters.
  • National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX) was carried out via the Indian Coast Guard off Vadinar, Gujarat recently.

Conclusion

Oil spills continue to be a vital environmental challenge. By implementing preventive measures, improving reaction abilities, and promoting sustainable energy alternatives, it could be feasible to minimize their impact on our planet.

Source: The Indian Express

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. What is oil spill pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?

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