Oil Spills

Context

Typhoon Gaemi caused the sinking of the MT Terra Nova, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of oil, in Manila Bay. This oil spill could become the largest in Philippine history. The Coast Guard is deploying containment booms and skimmers for mitigation.

• Containment Booms: Floating barriers made of plastic, metal, or other materials that slow the spread of oil and keep it contained.
• Skimmers: Boats deployed to remove oil from the water surface and prevent it from reaching ecologically sensitive areas.

What is an Oil Spill?

An oil spill occurs when oil is accidentally released into the environment, typically from tankers, drilling rigs, pipelines, or refineries. These spills can be triggered by natural disasters, human error, or equipment failure. When oil spills into water, it spreads rapidly due to its lighter density compared to water, forming a layer on the surface that blocks sunlight and disrupts photosynthesis in marine plants and phytoplankton.

Impact on the Environment

• Immediate Danger to Marine Animals: Marine animals near the surface face immediate risks.
• Birds: Oil coating on birds’ feathers impairs their insulation, leading to hypothermia and drowning.
• Fish and Invertebrates: They suffer from reproductive and growth challenges.
• Coastal Ecosystems: Oil suffocates coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, coral reefs, and marshlands, killing vital plants and animals. Recovery can take decades, and some species may face extinction threats.
• Biodiversity: Oil spills can reduce biodiversity due to bioaccumulation.

Challenges with Cleaning

• Rough Seas or Strong Currents: These complicate containment and removal efforts.
• Varied Oil Properties: Oil that sinks or emulsifies with water makes separation difficult.
• Chemical Dispersants: These can harm marine life.
• Manual Clean-up: Labor-intensive and less effective in remote areas.
• Cost and Time: Clean-up efforts are often costly and lengthy, diverting resources from other critical areas.
• Historical Examples: Major oil spills like the Exxon Valdez spill (1989) in the Gulf of Alaska and the Deepwater Horizon disaster (2010) show the complex challenges of recovery.

Additional Concerns

• Ecological Impact: Long-term damage to marine and coastal ecosystems.
• Economic Impact: Affects fisheries, tourism, and local economies.
• Health Impact: Potential health risks to humans through contaminated water and seafood.