Oil pollution can be slotted into direct causes like spillage during transportation, natural ground seepage or indirect causes such as the extremely difficult to measure after-effects of oil usage like increased carbon dioxide levels. How do we qualify or quantify the effect of losing 40% of one coral reef due to 33% of carbon emissions as a result of oil use? While these numbers are hypothetical, I mean to suggest that the solution is less about measuring the exact problem. The numbers don’t matter as much as actually making changes, and seeing the results of thriving conservation initiatives and remediation efforts. Dyan deNapoli in The Great Penguin Rescue (2010) outlines some of the hazards experienced after the oil spill of the MV Treasure on June 23rd, 2000 off the coast of Capetown, South Africa. The surface oil narrowly missed threatening the water supply of a nuclear power plant (essential for cooling), threatened endangered African Penguin habitat, and caused a shutdown of the water intake system for the Capetown Aquarium to avoid contamination. Figure 1. Infographic display of the worlds worst oil spills (Potenza, 2010) Marine Pollutants: Oil. Causes, Effects and Controls Sustainable Ocean Environments, Spring 2013 1
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Oil pollution can be slotted into direct causes like spillage during transportation, natural
ground seepage or indirect causes such as the extremely difficult to measure after-effects of oil
usage like increased carbon dioxide levels. How do we qualify or quantify the effect of losing
40% of one coral reef due to 33% of carbon emissions as a result of oil use? While these
numbers are hypothetical, I mean to suggest that the solution is less about measuring the exact
problem. The numbers don’t matter as much as actually making changes, and seeing the results
of thriving conservation initiatives and remediation efforts.
Dyan deNapoli in The Great Penguin Rescue (2010) outlines some of the hazards
experienced after the oil spill of the MV Treasure on June 23rd, 2000 off the coast of Capetown,
South Africa. The surface oil narrowly missed threatening the water supply of a nuclear power
plant (essential for cooling), threatened endangered African Penguin habitat, and caused a
shutdown of the water intake system for the Capetown Aquarium to avoid contamination.
Figure 1. Infographic display of the worlds worst oil spills (Potenza, 2010)
Marine Pollutants: Oil. Causes, Effects and Controls Sustainable Ocean Environments, Spring 2013
1
A large variation in data about exact spill amounts, suggests a variety of estimation
methods, and left me wondering about the validity of data sources, and how corporate power
affects public information. From an ecological and scientific perspective, study of oil spills in
regards to environmental impact must look at facts available beyond the reach of corporate or oil
company funded sources and with reasonable scrutiny.
Causes
Oil pollution represents one of the ways that we can measure human inefficiency in
energy usage. Earth (Luhr, 2003) stipulates that less then 20% of oil pollution in the ocean results
from spillage. The remainder comes from alternate sources ranging from shipping vessels, waste
and runoff, to recreational boating leakages. The solutions for the pollution, as a result are
endless in variety and possibilities, and are widespread with many facets. Regular maintenance
of recreational boating would significantly reduce widespread pollution. Until technology allows
complete removal of oil based motor systems altogether, solid understanding of maintenance is
an area of great opportunity for improvement.
While big oil companies with deep pockets make an easy target for media during
accidents, it is the consumer’s responsibility to put pressure on oil providers to improve methods
through which they manufacture, refine and transport oils.
Ecological Effects
National Geographic travel journalist Andrew Evans was on assignment in a very remote
island in the south Atlantic a week after an oil spill occurred in 2011. His presence raised public
awareness around oil related ecological impacts, but he also encouraged individuals to assist with
Marine Pollutants: Oil. Causes, Effects and Controls Sustainable Ocean Environments, Spring 2013
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more local reporting campaigns (Evans, 2012). Northern Rockhopper Penguins, native to the
island and already endangered were seriously affected by the oil.