Everything about Oil Slick totally explained
An
oil spill is the release of a
liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment due to human activity, and is a form of
pollution. The term often refers to
marine oil spills, where oil is released into the
ocean or
coastal waters. The oil may be a variety of materials, including
crude oil, refined petroleum products (such as
gasoline or
diesel fuel) or by-products,
ships' bunkers, oily refuse or oil mixed in
waste. Spills take months or even years to clean up.
Oil is also released into the environment from natural
geologic seeps on the
sea floor. Most
human-made oil pollution comes from land-based activity, but public attention and regulation has tended to focus most sharply on seagoing oil tankers.
Environmental effects
The oil penetrates and opens up the structure of the
plumage of birds, reducing its insulating ability, and so making the birds more vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and much less
buoyant in the water. It also impairs birds' flight abilities, making it difficult or impossible to forage and escape from predators. As they attempt to
preen, birds typically ingest oil that coats their feathers, causing
kidney damage, altered
liver function, and
digestive tract irritation. This and the limited foraging ability quickly causes
dehydration and
metabolic imbalances. Most birds affected by an oil spill die unless there's human intervention.
Marine mammals exposed to oil spills are affected in similar ways as seabirds. Oil coats the fur of
Sea otters and
seals, reducing its insulation abilities and leading to
body temperature fluctuations and
hypothermia. Ingestion of the oil causes dehydration and impaired digestion.
Largest oil spills
Further Information
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