MANAGING-THE-DAMAGE-CAUSED-BY-OIL-SPILLS

MANAGING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY OIL SPILLS

Dave Ikiedei Asei

14/01/2023

According to Mark Radka, the sinking of the X-Press Pearl off the coast of Sri Lanka and the California oil spill have brought fresh attention to the environmental consequences of such catastrophes, particularly the toll they have on marine and coral life. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) examines the severe effects of oil spills, the expense of clean-ups, and what can be done to reduce harm to the environment and ecosystems in this question and answer session. 

WHAT CAUSES OIL SPILLS? 

There are many different forms of oil spills, and the majority of them are small. One type is when oil leaks off a ship as it is being refueled. However, grave occurrences like the 2020  oil spill in Mauritius, bring consequences that can be felt for decades. Most of the major oil spills happen when a pipeline breaks, a tanker sinks or runs aground or when a drilling operation goes wrong.

DO SOME OF THESE SPILLS HAVE A WORSE IMPACT THAN OTHERS? 

Of course, not every oil spill is the same. The type of oil or refined oil product will have an impact on the severity of the spill in addition to the spill's quantity. For instance, because it is lighter and more poisonous than crude oil, gasoline is worse. 

Due to the ship's additional cargo of over 80 containers of various toxic chemicals as well as nurdles, little plastic pellets that take thousands of years to decompose, the environmental problem in the Sri Lankan spill was made worse. As the nurdles flooded beaches and appeared in fish bellies, further environmental harm was done. Bunker oil leakage is still a possibility and won't be eliminated until the shipwreck is gone.

HOW CAN WE GET READY FOR UPCOMING SPILLS.

Governments and the oil sector must have strategies in place and be aware of what to do in the event of an oil spill. Regular spill response training exercises are also essential. The less impact on the environment, the quicker and better the response. Oil spill response can be organized into three levels: local, national, and international. Small spills can be managed locally, larger spills nationally, and major spills require an international response. 

The Sri Lanka case also highlights the rising risks associated with expanding global container shipping and the requirement to be ready for intricate catastrophes involving the spilling of oil, dangerous chemicals, and other materials. This occurs in every nation that produces oil in the world. 

Oil businesses in Nigeria  oil companies still flair gas in addition to the above devastating effects mentioned above and oils Companies and Governments at all levels are not doing enough to control and provide succor to affected communities especially the host communities of where the exploitation and exploration activities are going on. The oil producing states gets just 13% derived from the sales of the crude oil and gas found in their territory where the pollution affects is not justified to get just 13% of the funds. There should be upward review of the percentage.

HOW SHOULD AN OIL SPILL BE CLEANED UP? 

It all relies on the amount of time it takes the cleanup team to get at the spill site, the weather, the type of oil, the type of shoreline, and how sensitive the ecology is, among other things. A crew can attempt to confine and skim the oil if they can get to a spill in a short amount of time. Mechanical methods, such as booms and skimmers, are used for containment and skimming. Skimmers, which are adapted boats, skim the oil off the surface of the water, while booms, which are floating physical barriers, prevent the oil from spreading. 

It is more difficult to clear up oil after it spreads out or hits the shoreline. Manual cleanup activities are used when oil is in close proximity to the shoreline.

HOW CRITICAL IS RESTORATION FOLLOWING AN OIL SPILL? 

Recovery from an oil spill depends on the region being restored. Before rehabilitation can start, it is necessary to assess the harm caused by the spill. This is done by ongoing ecological, biological, and chemical investigations and analyses. 

WHAT DAMAGE DO OIL SPILLS CAUSE TO ANIMAL AND OCEAN LIFE? 

An oil spill could do significant damage in an area with a lot of animals. Oil impairs a bird's capacity to resist moisture and destroys the insulation that keeps animals and birds warm in the winter. Without these traits, mammals and birds run the risk of succumbing to hypothermia. Whales and dolphins can breathe oil, which can harm their reproductive and immune systems. Fish and shellfish aren't immediately harmed by oil because it floats in water, but when the oil mixes and settles, fish may have stunted growth, enlarged livers, fin erosion, and a decline in their capacity to reproduce. Fish can be killed by the hit even though it is not fatal.