Causes of Oil Spills
When it comes to oil spills there are various causes, and more than one way oil can end up in unintended locations. “Oil and chemical spill accidents can be caused by human mistakes and carelessness, deliberate acts such as vandalism, war and illegal dumping, or by natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes” (Teik-Thye Lim, 2007). After identifying the type of oil spill, one must consider how to appropriately tackle the situation. Many such solutions and protocols have been developed to aid workers in their safe and timely cleanup. “Crude oil can be spilled during its transportation and distribution on land. Significant land-based spills commonly reflect unanticipated breached pipelines, bulk storage facilities, or the results of vehicle accidents” (Testa & Jacobs, 2014). This is an example of an onshore oil spill which means that the oil spill occurs on land and often contaminates the soil and local water sources. There is always a diverse array of elements to consider when considering how to properly deal with an oil spill. “The type and amount of the oil spilled on the water surface, along with weather conditions and the location of the oil spill, would determine how fast the oil spreads, evaporates, or sinks to the bottom of the sea” (Riazi, 2021). There is a vast array of reasons as to why an oil spill might occur. “On April 20, 2010, an explosion as a result of a natural gas surge blasted through a well cap that was installed by the Deepwater Horizon platform” (Riazi, 2021). A rupture in the well cap caused the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill but this cause differs from many other examples.
- “Nowruz oil spill in the Persian Gulf in February 1983 was caused by damage to the platform when it was struck by a tanker” (Riazi, 2021).
It is always in the national and global interest to treat an oil spill and clear out the waste as expediently as possible. It is not just human mistakes that cause oil spills although it is a major factor. Oil spills can also occur via transportation.
- “The Exxon Valdez oil spill was one of the largest oil spills in the US, and occurred when the oil tanker ran hard aground on Bligh Reef on March 24, 1989” (Riazi, 2021).
Many such incidents have occurred in the past and it is reasonable to infer that many more will occur in the future. We as a collective must ensure that we are best placed to resolve these issues as they come along. “When an oil spill occurs, it is important to predict the fate of the spill for planning a proper response” (Riazi, 2021).
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