Oil Spillage and Its Environmental Effects

Oil Spillage and Its Environmental Effects

Many fundamentals of the environment are affected when oil spillage occurs depending on the extent and location of the spill and can range from slight to severe effects. An oil spill, for example, has effects such as loss of habitat for fish and animals. Heavy oils may have an impact on animal functions like thermo-regulation, respiration, and feeding. The whole ecosystem can temporarily change due to constituents of chemicals and components of spilled oil that are harmful to the environment. Oil spillage is caused by accidental spills, natural factors, sabotage, or production of oil operations.

When oil spills happen in freshwater or the ocean, it does not mix well with water; hence it floats on the surface. Afterward, the oil forms a thin coating that prevents sunlight from reaching the environments in the ocean. Lack of sunlight affects producers and, therefore, the whole food chain in the ocean. This coating called slick can extend into thousands of miles due to factors such as currents and waves (Schiel et al. 8). Rough seas can separate the oil layer into various directions while spills near the shore can be moved ashore, affecting the shoreline environment.

Oil is thick and covers the surface of sea mammals, and birds. Shorebirds might run from oil spillage by moving if there is danger, however birds of the sea that swim for food are bound to be covered by oil. Oil can destroy nesting environments, causing damage for a long time on the whole species. Migration arrangements for birds can be disturbed through polluting places that moving birds stop. Small amounts of oil can be dangerous to birds as layering feathers with oil makes it impossible for them to fly as well as ending birds’ natural waterproofing ability subjecting them to overheating and hypothermia. To return their natural protections, birds preen their feathers, which can cause harm to their internal parts ad cause death..

Sea mammals such as dolphins and whales are often killed by oil spills as oil blocks their blowholes making it hard for them to breathe and communicate effectively. Oil covers the fur of seals and otters, making them susceptible to hypothermia. Though sea mammals may be fortunate to escape the instant effects of oil spillage, their food supply may be damaged. Mammals that consume fish, and any other food subjected to oil may die or experience other complications. Oil spills also affect marine life, fish, and shellfish, especially if larvae or fish eggs are subjected to oil. Until there is an effort to clear oil on the coastline, oil stays until time or weather breaks it down.

Oil is harmful to organisms that live on or within lands as when absorbed into the soil; it contacts bacteria, minerals and can damage their habitats. Animals that depend on scent to find their offspring or parents can get lost due to the strong scent of the oil. Oil can restrict the flying ability of birds and therefore inhibit them from escaping predators. The intake of oil by animals can lead to dehydration that destroys the process of digestion (Incardona et al. 254). Oil spillage can cause soil infertility as the soils’ capability to keep oxygen is reduced. Oxygen is a primary component of photosynthesis and growth of plants. The growth of new plants may be impossible due to suffocation, depending on the extent of spillage. Oil concentration into the soil also inhibits the absorption of water affecting the growth of plants.

Conclusively, oil spillage should be avoided at all costs as it has detrimental effects on the environment. All concerned parties should adhere to the recommended measures to overcome oil spillage. Such measures include evading overflows, tightening bolts on engines, and using absorbent material to arrest drips.

Works Cited

Schiel, D. R., P. M. Ross, and C. N. Battershill. “Environmental effects of the MV Rena shipwreck: cross-disciplinary investigations of oil and debris impacts on a coastal ecosystem.” (2016): 1-9.

Incardona, John P., and Nathaniel L. Scholz. “Case study: The 2010 deepwater horizon oil spill and its environmental developmental impacts.” Development and Environment. Springer, Cham, 2018. 235-283