1. Oil Spills

2. Background Information Each year, millions of gallons of oil are released into the environment, either accidentally or intentionally. Each year, millions of gallons of oil are released into the environment, either accidentally or intentionally. –Tanker accidents or “blowouts” –Spills at offshore drilling rigs –Run-off and dumping waste oil from cities and industries.

3. In 1979, a huge blowout occurred at the Ixtoc I oil well in the southern Gulf of Mexico. In 1979, a huge blowout occurred at the Ixtoc I oil well in the southern Gulf of Mexico. –Over 184 million gallons of oil leaked into the environment. –Took 8 months to cap the well As horrendous as that seems, releases from offshore wells during normal operations and during transportation of the oil add much more oil to the environment than such occasional accidents.

4. Accidents happen… Oil tanker accidents account for about 10 to 15 percent of the annual input of oil into the world’s oceans Oil tanker accidents account for about 10 to 15 percent of the annual input of oil into the world’s oceans Leaks at wells Leaks at wells Purging of tanks Purging of tanks Seepage from natural sources Seepage from natural sources

5. Oil Spills Castillow de Bellver (1983) caught fire and relased 78.5 million gallons of ocean off the coast of Capetown, South Africa Castillow de Bellver (1983) caught fire and relased 78.5 million gallons of ocean off the coast of Capetown, South Africa Exxon Valdez (1989) hit a reef and released about 11 million gallons of oil into the Prince William Sound of Alaska. The spill was the largest in U.S. history. Capt. Joe Hazelwood, who later admitted to having had several alcoholic drinks that day, (From Huntington, Long Island). In jail NOW! Exxon Valdez (1989) hit a reef and released about 11 million gallons of oil into the Prince William Sound of Alaska. The spill was the largest in U.S. history. Capt. Joe Hazelwood, who later admitted to having had several alcoholic drinks that day, (From Huntington, Long Island). In jail NOW! –More than 33,000 seabirds, 1,000 sea otters, 100 bald eagles killed.

6. How much damage is done? The type and amount of damage from an oil spill depend on a number of factors: The type and amount of damage from an oil spill depend on a number of factors: –Type of oil (crude oil most toxic due to benzene and toluene) –Weather conditions –Types of organisms in the area –Season –Oils spill cleanup is difficult and EXPENSIVE. It is very difficult to save animals who have ingested the hydrocarbons into their digestive tracts, especially aquatic birds who preen to insulate themselves.

7. On March 24, 1989, an oil tanker struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, releasing more than 200 million liters (11 million) of oil. On March 24, 1989, an oil tanker struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, releasing more than 200 million liters (11 million) of oil. The map outlines the oil-spill front as it expanded from 1 to 8 days after the spill; it was compiled from aerial observations by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Exxon, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. The map outlines the oil-spill front as it expanded from 1 to 8 days after the spill; it was compiled from aerial observations by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Exxon, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Bottom sediments studied by the USGS more than 7 weeks after the spill contained no clear evidence of oil pollution; possible traces of contamination were found near the south end of the Sound, but the presence of oil could not be confirmed. Bottom sediments studied by the USGS more than 7 weeks after the spill contained no clear evidence of oil pollution; possible traces of contamination were found near the south end of the Sound, but the presence of oil could not be confirmed. Much of the oil was carried onshore by surface currents and deposited along the beaches. Long-term monitoring is needed to assess the effect of the spill on the marine environment. Much of the oil was carried onshore by surface currents and deposited along the beaches. Long-term monitoring is needed to assess the effect of the spill on the marine environment.

8. So how do we clean it up? Containment and Removal Containment and Removal Application of Dispersants Application of Dispersants Bioremediation Bioremediation 1.Enzymes released by the microbe break the contaminant down into digestible pieces. 2.The contaminant is consumed as food by the cell. 3.Harmless biological wastes are all that remain of the contaminant.

9. Reguations In the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez incident, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which required the Coast Guard to strengthen its regulations on oil tank vessels and oil tank owners and operators. Today, tank hulls provide better protection against spills resulting from a similar accident, and communications between vessel captains and vessel traffic centers have improved to make for safer sailing. In the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez incident, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which required the Coast Guard to strengthen its regulations on oil tank vessels and oil tank owners and operators. Today, tank hulls provide better protection against spills resulting from a similar accident, and communications between vessel captains and vessel traffic centers have improved to make for safer sailing.Oil Pollution Act of 1990Oil Pollution Act of 1990