What is an oil spill? Thanks for asking!

An oil spill is a form of pollution whereby petrol is released into the sea or ocean due to human activity. This is sometimes accidental, sometimes intentional. In both cases the environmental and social consequences can be disastrous. Just a month ago, a Japanese-owned cargo ship transporting 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil crashed into a coral reef near to the coast of Mauritius. The ship leaked nearly 1,000 tonnes of oil into the pristine waters, which are known for their rich biodiversity.

So what is the impact on the planet?

An oil spill is a real environmental catastrophe. The oil itself can cause irreversible damage to ecosystems by impacting the whole food chain. News coverage often includes dramatic images of birds or other animals covered in oil. Unable to escape, they generally die of suffocation. Then you’ve also got economic repercussions to consider. A huge effort is required to clean up the coastline, including suspending tourism in the affected area, as well as fishing and aquaculture. Cleanup teams sometimes use chemical products called dispersants. Their purpose is to break down oil into small droplets, clearing it from the water’s surface. This makes it less likely the oil slick will reach the shoreline. But some types have been labelled harmful by environmental organisations, due to their toxic nature.

Are there other ways of cleaning up after an oil spill? How do such large-scale disasters come about? And do they happen often? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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What is an oil spill?

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