We are all witnessing a global movement to clean the world’s oceans. Almost every human habitation living near a coast is taking a stand to clean the beaches and the seas. Extensive drives are being planned and executed as you read this article. And all of this for one single cause- having cleaner waters. Many groups are pulling out the tons of plastic we have so selfishly dumped into oceans over decades of time period. Plastic and trash can be easily dealt with but what about the gallons of oil spills that have made the oceans impure?
When oil spills in the water it is differentiated into LNAPL and DNAPL. LNAPL (light non-aqueous phase liquid), floats on top of water and when that water is moving an oily froth is formed which coats the birds’ feathers and interferes with their thermoregulation and flight abilities. This also blocks the sunlight from reaching the water column, effectively ending photosynthesis in that area and removing both a food source and a vital source of oxygen for aquatic animals such as fish. Other parts of the oil dissolve into the water, creating dissolved petroleum pollution, while the heaviest oil, DNAPL (dense non-aqueous phase liquid), sinks to the bottom where it coats rocks, plants and any benthic organism that may be present.
Furthermore, oil spills do not only harm the waters but land as well. During tides there is a heavy chance that an oil spill near the shore may reach the land. If land is coated with oil, there are two solutions: either wait until weather washes and degrades the oil, or excavate the soil and incinerate the oil/sediment mixture until the oil burns off. One can imagine this would not leave viable soil, and it is also not practical for vast coastal agricultural fields.
In conclusion, we need better infrastructure when it comes to transporting oil as most of the spills happen during transportation as researched by Northeastern University.
Shraddha Patil