Hello and welcome to Green Schools Green Future! In this educational blog, we shall learn about one of the most damaging environmental concerns, Oil spills. An oil spill occurs when liquid petroleum hydrocarbons come in contact with the environment, particularly marine ecosystems. This can cause damage to oceans, coastal waters, and land. This can harm organisms living in the affected areas which oftentimes affects the natural food chain in the area by striking an imbalance. When exposed to these substances, certain foods consumed by animals are no longer edible. Secondarily to the environmental impacts, oil spills create a ripple effect which will in turn cause detrimental social and economic impacts.
How are Animals Affected by Oil Spills?
On land, a variety of species of birds and mammals need to maintain a consistent, stable body temperature. In order to maintain optimal bodily temperature, the repel water as well as insulate from the cold water. When an oil spill occurs, these animals are no longer able to carry through with these tasks and often face dire consequences. When these animals are unable to regulate their body temperature, they will pass due to hypothermia. Sea creatures such as young turtles, may mistake the oil for food and get caught in it. Marine animals such as dolphins and whales may inhale the oil. This can cause tremendous damage to their lungs, immune function, and reproduction. Ultimately, seeking loss of habitat.
What is Direct and Indirect Exposure to Oil Spills?
The effects of oil spills on humans can be categorised into two different groups; direct and indirect exposure.
An array of negative health impacts are caused by direct exposure to oil spill components. This is mainly an occurrence for people who live or work in areas where an oil spill has taken place. Examples of direct exposure include…
- Inhalation of contaminated air – volatile compounds may be emitted as gases from uncontained oil. These emissions contaminate the air, creating specific odours. If someone were to inhale this air for an extended period of time, they may be susceptible to certain ailments.
- Contact to skin – Contact with skin can cause immediate irritation. Contaminants may also be absorbed by the skin and enter the body.
Indirect exposure may also cause significant health risks. Indirect exposure takes place when the affected person lives far off from the site of the oil spills and is still impacted. Examples of indirect exposure include…
- Bathing in contaminated water – Oil in water is sometimes not visible however, dissolved oil contaminants may still exist in the water if it was impacted by an oil spill. This also includes swimming in a contaminated water stream.
- Eating contaminated foods – when dangerous compounds are taken in by a living organism, they may become more concentrated along the food chain. As humans, we may be exposed to concentrations of contaminants in our food.
How Does this Impact Local Fishermen?
Because oil spills are a more common occurrence in water bodies, local fishermen and ship workers are often exposed to these dangerous toxins. It is more probable for people with these working conditions to obtain oil spill related illnesses. Furthermore, fishermen are unable to fish in the affected location because the sea creatures living in the area are dangerous for human consumption. The government may place restrictions on fishing areas as a precaution, thousands of square miles of fishing waters may be closed for extended periods of time. Fishermen and ship workers may be fired if they are unable to acquire an abundant quantity of fish. This causes periods of economic collapse which affects both fishermen and citizens of the locality.
Closing Remarks
Thank you for reading this far! I hope you have found new information on this pressing concern which has had detrimental impacts on our economy and environment. We must recognize such prominent concerns to form meaningful solutions. On behalf of Green Schools Green Future, I would like to thank you once again for your contribution to our journey. Your donations to the Green Schools Foundation have helped the Green Schools community grow and continue to shed light on these critical matters. If you would be so kind, please Donate to our GSG.Foundation so we can carry on with our work. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more!
Resources:
Oil spill | Definition, Causes, Effects, List, & Facts | Britannica
How does oil impact marine life?
Chilling Out, Warming Up: How Animals Survive Temperature Extremes – American Chemical Society
Oil Spill Effects on Humans | Environmental Pollution Centers
