Oil Spill Pollution Causes

Abstract

Oil spills has been one of the major environmental pollution and concern faced by all. This problem has been more visible in developing countries; many studies have shown that oil spill pollution poises both short term and long term damages to the environment, marine-life, the ecosystem, human activities and health problems especially to those who live close to the polluted areas. This paper will critically evaluate how the major causes of oil spill pollution and how it has affected the planet. Over the years, the rate of oil spillage has significantly reduced as companies and individuals have become knowledgeable about the implications of spillage on our environment and the planet as a whole. Consequently, measures are continually

In the 1970s, the average number of oil spills per year was about triple of the 1980s and 1990s. Although, there has been a continuous increase in seaborne oil trade since 1985, the average number of oil spills of the 1970s still surpasses that of present decade. To identify the trends, the are some notable factors namely:

• Shipping legislations

• Type of oil (crude, fuel cargo, bunkers)

• Causes i.e. accidents or main operation at the time of the incident.

• Location. Such as countries where oil spill occurs

For further clarification on where oil spills mostly occur, distinction is made between on-land oil spills and on-water oil spills. The oil spills that occur on the land is referred to as “onshore” (which is oil activities take place on land) while oil spills on the water is known as “offshore” (oil activities in the seas and oceans). Majority of the oil spillages occur on the water bodies such as lake, ocean, rivers, streams, etc. which is simply because most of the oilfields are located in and around water bodies.

Fig: Analysis of U.S. Oil Spillage, regulatory and scientific affairs department Source: (Ektin,

For example, in the Niger delta region of Nigeria, pipeline vandalism has wreaked havoc to the economy, environment, and health.

Illegal waste oil dumping

Many organizations including oil companies, are mostly driven by the money making benefit from their business and try to avoid any financial losses including money spent in taking care of the environment from where their businesses run. Therefore, most illegal waste oil dumping occurs in the oceans by these organizations who do not want to invest in the cost of degrading their oil waste.

Natural disasters

Oil spill may sometimes be caused by natural disturbances in the earth crust such as hurricanes and earthquakes leading to eruptions in the oil wells. Natural seeps (geological seeps) from the ocean floor/bed representing one of the single largest sources of oil pollution (Oil Splat , 2008)