Environmental impacts of oil spill cleanup

Following an oil spill, dispersants are used to clean up the oil spilled into the marine environment by dispersing the oil from the sea surface into the water body. This technique is known to cause degradation and pollution of the marine environment and coastal areas, including the death of many marine species.

Nº 122

North Atlantic Ocean, Golf of Mexico

  • Marine Environment
  • Reduction of Maine Pollution
  • Clean-Up of Oil Spill
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made

None

Environmental impacts of oil spill cleanup

Following an oil spill, dispersants are used to clean up the oil spilled into the marine environment by dispersing the oil from the sea surface into the water body. This technique is known to cause degradation and pollution of the marine environment and coastal areas, including the death of many marine species.

In 1989, an oil tanker spilled 11 million gallons of oil into the ocean, causing severe pollution of the marine environment – an event known as the Exxon Valdez oil spill. In response to the spill, the oil dispersant Corexit was used to clean up the oil that had leaked into the ocean. However, it has been found that the use of this dispersant may have done significant harm too, and that the dispersed oil may be causing fish species to die.

  • Facilitated the efforts to address the initial problem
  • Singular (only one effect)

Krämer. K. (2018, June 1). Oil spill cleanup. Chemistry World. https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/oil-spill-cleanup/3008990.article

Ott, R. & Siddoway, J. (2019, March 26). Thirty Years after Exxon Valdez, US Oil Spill Response Is Still All Wrong. The Guardian. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/articles/entry/exxon-valdez-oil-spill-chemical-dispersants/

Krämer, K. (2018, June 1). Oil spill cleanup. Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/oil-spill-cleanup/3008990.article

<— Back