Impact of Oil Pollution

• The world is very reliant on oil because:

  • it is relatively easy to store and transport
  • easier to extract from the ground than solid materials such as coal
  • can be made into a number of different products
  • usually produces less pollutions
• Oil is not present in every location so supplies have to be transported great distances to reach customers

  • scarcity of supplies means that those who have oil reserves have greater economic power because demand is great
• Oil is a toxic material and spillages can cause great damage
• Crude oil - the unprocessed form of oil extracted straight from the ground

  • thick,dark and sticky
  • flammable
• The amount of oil spilt doesn’t indicate the level of environmental impact

  • oil spills at sea generally have a far greater impact than those on land
• 3 main causes of marine oil spills:

  • offshore oil extraction with leakages from the rigs
  • oil pipelines with leaks in the pipework moving the oil to storage
  • shipping and transporting the oil with the risk of collision or damage to the oil tankers
• Oil spills can cause damage and removal of marine organisms

  • impacts the food web
  • can result in food shortages for animals that use the initially affected organism as a food source
  • population explosion of organisms if their predator has been removed
• Oil spills can cause the extinction of a species within a locality

  • if the species is already critically endangered, the loss of one population may cause thhe loss of an entire species
• Long-term impacts of oil spills are unknown

  • some organisms are killed ouright but the long-term health effects on organisms consuming oil during the first generation and future generations is uncertain
• Oil slicks have impact on local economy of affected coastal areas

  • may be a reduction in fish population which will affect the livelihoods of fishers as well as the food availability for locals
  • coastal areas rely on tourism and oil on beaches can have impact on tourism as beaches become less attractive to tourists
• Phytoplankton - microscopic organisms living in the seawater with the ability to photosynthesise

  • provide food for many larger organisms
• Impact of oil on phytoplankton

  • oil floats on the surface of the water and prevents light from enetering
  • prevents the phytoplankton from photosynthesising so they. die
• Fish - different species are present throughout the oceans

  • some feed on phytoplankotn and some prey on other fish
  • food for mammals and birds
• Impact of oil on fish

  • shortage of food due to reduction in phytoplankton
  • oil floating on water surface prevents gas exchange
  • fish becomes short of oxygen and die
  • fish are affected by the oil through direct contact which affects their gills
• Birds - mobile over large distances, feeding on fish, often diving into the water to catch them

  • others wade at the coastal edge feeding on fish and shellfish
• Impacts of oil on birds

  • shortage of food as fish and other creatures die
  • may consume oil when eating fish which can be toxic
  • feathers become coated in oil, affecting their ability to fly and buoyancy
• Mammals - marine-based mammals e.g. dolphins and whales

  • often travel great distances chasing prey
• Impacts of oil on mammals

  • food sources are depleted by the impact of the oil
  • mammals may swallow oil while feeding which will be toxic
  • a coating of oil will affect their skin
• Reefs - a complex ecosystem, the habitat for a wide community of organisms
• Impacts of oil on reefs

  • oil slick wil prevent sunlight from reaching plants and phytoplankton, preventing photosynthesis occuring
  • lack of oxygen will cause other species to die
  • impact on the balance of the whole reef might cause complete devastation
  • areas of reed may become covered in oil
• Beaches - a distinct ecosystem supporting a range of land-based and aquatic organisms
• Impacts of oil on beaches

  • oil is often washed in by tides, coating rocks
  • organisms living in shallow water and rock pools may be killed by the toxic effects of the oil
  • animal food sources will be affected