Water
is probably one of the most important natural resources. Human beings and other
living creatures can survive without food for several weeks but they cannot
survive without water for more than one week. Similarly, the sea is the source
of water for millions of marine creatures. When sea water gets contaminated, it
will wreak havoc to these creatures.
Among
the most disastrous of all water pollutants is fuel oil. The threat of an oil
spill can come from a number of sources including offshore tanker traffic,
offshore drilling and onshore pipelines. Oil spills from the tankers at sea are
very difficult to control as the oil tends to spread very fast, affecting miles
and miles of coastlines and the sea. They are a major environmental threat and
can cause irreparable damage to surrounding ecosystems. Oil spills reduce the
water’s oxygen level, thus causing extensive harm to the creatures living in
the sea. Crude oil, being lighter than water, floats on the surface of the sea
and poses the threat of widespread fire. If the oil reaches the shore, a large
portion of its sink into the bottom sediments and contaminates the environment.
The
amount of petroleum products ending up in the ocean is estimated to be about 6
million tons per year. Of this, oil spills account for five per cent of the oil
entering the oceans. One big oil spill is enough to disrupt the sea and miles
of coastline for years. Even if the dangers of oil exposure are not immediately
evident, it can cause long-term damage. Fish and other marine creatures can
develop liver disease and other reproductive problems. Laboratory experiments
have shown that exposing salmon to oil can result in the inhibition of male
sexual development. In sea birds, oil can cause mortality and reduce hatching
of eggs. The effects of toxic oil compounds have been shown to have possible
links with tumours found in beluga whales.
One
of the sea creatures that is adversely affected by oil spills is the sea otter.
Unlike other marine animals, otters do not have a thick layer of blubber to
protect them from the cold water. Instead, they depend on their thick fur and
spend most of the day grooming their fur. When otters come into contact with an
oil spill, the oil coats and mats their fur and when they are unable to clean
their fur, they can die from hypothermia. If they swallow the toxic oil, it can
cause severe damage to their livers, kidneys and their lungs.
Oil
spills can also threaten the fishing and tourism industry. Tons of thick oil
can turn picturesque beaches and pristine coastlines into stinking quagmires of
tar. Tourists will generally keep away from coastlines that have been affected
by oil spills for years. Oil spills can cripple the fishing industry. Fishermen’s
incomes will be affected when fishing is banned in areas where oil spills have
occurred. This in turn will have knock-out effects on the entire economy. The
disaster will affect boat repairers and middlemen who transport the catch. The
ban on fishing will hit supplies as customers will be afraid to eat the fish in
case they are tainted by the spill. Restaurants and hotels frequented by
tourists will see a drop in tourist arrivals. When fishermen are thrown out of
work, local governments have to fork out sizeable allocations as government
aid.
Oil
spills can occur when oil tankers collide with one another either in deep sea
of offshore, while waiting to be loaded or unloaded. On land, crude oil is
transported through pipelines or tankers which may get damaged and cause the
oil to be spewed out over the land, thereby contaminating it. Oil spills can
also be caused by other factors. During the recent Gulf War, many oil
reservoirs were bombed and the subsequent effect on marine life was
devastating. Seabirds and fish were washed ashore, their bodies covered with
oil.
(656
words)
Reference:
Sebastian M., Sharmini Balraj. (2004). Eksplorasi
English Form 5. Selangor Darul Ehsan: Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn. Bhd.
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