G-11 Jennifer Mae Heredia Newton Advanced Chemistry Francisco

IV Mrs.

Spilled Out Details on Oil Spill Oil spill is characterized by an accidental release of oil into a body of water, as from a tanker, offshore drilling rig, or underwater pipeline, often presenting a hazard to marine life and the environment. According to data gathered in 2006, the world consumed more than 3.5 billion gallons of oil each day. Sixty percent of that oil reached its destination by sea. Fortunately, due to stricter penalties and better ship design, the number of oil spills has decreased since the oil shipping boom began in the 1960s. Unfortunately, they haven't been eliminated. Between 1990 and 1999, an average of 150,000 tons of oil spilled each year into the world's waterways. 2001 was a particularly bad year, with five spills occurring within the same week. Oil Spills may happen for several reasons. One is the equipment faults of oil tankers. When oil tankers break down, it may get stuck on shallow land. When the tanker is attempted to move out of shallow land, abrasion may cause a hole in the tanker that will lead to large amounts of oil being released into the oceanic bodies. However, although this form of oil spill is the most commonly known and has the highest media attention, only 2% of oil in water bodies is a result of this action. Second are the nature and human activities on land. The large majority of oil spilled is from natural seeps geological seeps from the ocean floor as well as leaks that occur when products using petroleum or various forms of oil are used on land, and the oil is washed off into water bodies. Third are water sports. Other causes of oil spills are spills by petroleum users of released oil. This happens when various water sports or water vehicles such as motorboats and jet skis leak fuel. Fourth are the drilling works carried out in sea. When drilling works carried out in the sea, the oil and petroleum used for such activities are released into the sea, thus causing an oil spill. Such oil spills are considered forms of pollution. Oil spills also have highly adverse effects on the environment. These oil spills greatly affect animals, which may in turn sometimes lead to animals getting endangered. Animals may be affected because oil spills may cause hypothermia, inducing low body temperatures. Oil may also enter the lungs or livers of animals, in turn poisoning the animals. Oil may also kill animals by blinding them, affecting their natural predator prey instincts, resulting in which they will be unaware of their predators, and will eventually be preyed on. Animals such as seabirds, sea otters, and killer whales, and other small organisms are mostly affected by oil spills. Oil Spills also affect marine plants. The oil forms a thick layer on the water surface, and this layer blocks out light and prevents gaseous exchange. When this happens, not only will the plants not be able to photosynthesise, animals underneath the affected area will find that the supply of oxygen slowly diminishes, and is unable to be continuously replenished by the environment. When plants cannot photosynthesise, they eventually die, leading to a vicious effect on the food chain, ultimately affecting all animals. In conclusion, the dangers oil spills pose to the environment are numerous and highly dangerous, hence, greater effort should be taken to ensure such oil spills are minimized in the future.

G-11 Jennifer Mae Heredia Newton Advanced Chemistry Francisco

IV Mrs.

A number of advanced response mechanisms are available for controlling oil spills and minimizing their impacts on human health and the environment. The key to effectively combating spills is careful selection and proper use of the equipment and materials best suited to the type of oil and the conditions at the spill site. Most spill response equipment and materials are greatly affected by such factors as conditions at sea, water currents, and wind. Damage to spill-contaminated shorelines and dangers to other threatened areas can be reduced by timely and proper use of containment and recovery equipment. It also depends upon many factors, including the type of oil spilled, the temperature of the water (affecting evaporation and biodegradation), and the types of shorelines and beaches involved. Mechanical containment or recovery is the primary line of defense in treating oil spills. This includes Containment and recovery equipment includes a variety of booms, barriers, and skimmers, as well as natural and synthetic sorbent materials. Mechanical containment is used to capture and store the spilled oil until it can be disposed of properly. Chemical and biological methods can be used in conjunction with mechanical means for containing and cleaning up oil spills. Dispersing agents and gelling agents are most useful in helping to keep oil from reaching shorelines and other sensitive habitats. Biological agents have the potential to assist recovery in sensitive areas such as shorelines, marshes, and wetlands. research into these technologies continues to improve oil spill cleanup. Subpart J of the National Contingency Plan (NCP) establishes the process for authorizing the use of dispersants and other chemical response agents, which includes the NCP Product Schedule, which is the federal government's listing of chemical countermeasures that are available for use during or after an oil spill response. Physical methods are used to clean up shorelines. Natural processes such as evaporation, oxidation, and biodegradation can start the cleanup process, but are generally too slow to provide adequate environmental recovery. Physical methods, such as wiping with sorbent materials, pressure washing, and raking and bulldozing can be used to assist these natural processes. Scare tactics are used to protect birds and animals by keeping them away from oil spill areas. Devices such as propane scare-cans, floating dummies, and helium-filled balloons are often used, particularly to keep away birds. Through the help of modern technology, new methods for treating oil spills are being studied and formulated by scientists all across the globe. One is the use of dispersants to treat oil spills. The principal aim of dispersant application is to break up an oil slick into numerous small droplets which become rapidly diluted into the water column and are subsequently degraded by naturally occurring microorganisms. Used appropriately, dispersants can be an effective response to an oil spill and can minimise or prevent damage to important sensitive resources. In common with other response techniques, the use of dispersants must be considered carefully, to take into account oil characteristics, sea and weather conditions, environmental sensitivities and national regulations on dispersant use. In some cases, significant environmental and economic benefits can be achieved through the use of dispersants,

G-11 Jennifer Mae Heredia Newton Advanced Chemistry Francisco

IV Mrs.

particularly when other at-sea responses techniques are limited by weather conditions or the availability of resources.