The Effects of Oil Spill towards Environment [ BEL 492 OUTLINE ]

• Introduction

Oil spill is one of the water pollution that can affect the world environment. The recent case that happened in 2010 is at Gulf of Mexico. It killing 11 workers and commencing months of Oil leaking unrestrained into the ocean.

• Reason for choosing the title
• The reason for choosing this title because, there are many oil spills happened around the world. Oil slicks also do so much more damage than just the initial havoc we see on the news. The effects can be very long lasting.
• General Purpose
•  To inform
• Specific Purpose

To inform how dangerous oil spill can effect environment. 

• Central purposes
• Definitions of Oil Spill
• Causes of Oil Spill
• Effects of Oil Spill
• Ways to Overcome Oil Spill

• Body
• Definition
•  http://www.ecomii.com/dictionary/oil-spill (December 1997) defines Oil Spill as an accidental or intentional discharge of oil which reaches bodies of water. Can be controlled by chemical dispersion, combustion, mechanical containment, and or adsorption. Spills from tanks and pipelines can also occur away from water bodies, contaminating the soil, getting into sewer systems and threatening underground water sources.

• Glossary of Environment Statistics (1997) defines an oil spill is oil, discharged accidentally or intentionally, that floats on the surface water bodies as discrete mass and is carried by the wind, currents and tides. Oil spills can be partially controlled by chemical dispersion, combustion, mechanical containment and adsorption. They have destructive effects on coastal ecosystem.

• http://dictionary.infoplease.com/oil-spill (1997) defines oil spill is an accidental release of oil into a body of water, as from a tanker, offshore drilling rig, or underwater pipeline, often presenting a hazard to marine life and the environment.

• Causes of Oil Spill
• Accidents
• Oil is generally transported by barges, tankers, pipelines, and    trucks; each has its own imperfections that can lead to accidental. Tankers and barges may crash or run into unexpected areas that cause cracks or holes that allow oil to escape. The oil transportation pipelines underground leaks or cracks can develop that allow oil to leak into the environment.

Oil delivery truck could also lead to oil spills in an accident. Some oils can escape when it is being transferred from one vessel to another.

• Operations
• Most of the oil loss occurs when the ship is conducting routine operations in the ports or oil terminals. Oil spills can occur during other stages of production, such as when oil is being drawn from wells or being converted into other products in a factory.Human error and equipment failure are common causes of accidents in such situations.

• Effects of Oil Spill
• Effects on the Water.
• When oil is released into water, it does not blend with the water. Oil floats on the surface of salt and fresh water. Over a very short period of time, the oil spreads out into a very thin layer across the surface of the water. This layer is called a slick that expands until the oil layer is extremely thin. It can contaminate the underwater habitat too.
• Effects on the Coastline.
• Oil is thick and sticks to everything it touches. While the most visual part of the damage might be the birds and wildlife we see on TV, consider that the oil covers everything right down to a grain of sand. Every rock, every piece of driftwood, saw grass, sand, soil and every microscopic habitat is destroyed or affected by the thick oil that washes ashore after a spill. Oil spills affect the coastal habitat from the smallest shells up to the largest boulders.

• Ways to Overcome Oil Spill
• Check all Machinery and Piping System.
• Before start any fueling, defueling, or internal transfer operation,  check  all  machinery  and  piping systems  for tightness  and  for  signs  of  leaking  glands, seals, and gaskets. When they change oil or add oil to machinery, take care not to spill the oil into the bilge.

• Training
• The training officer must ensure that formal training is provided to key personnel who maintain and operate pollution control equipment. The training officer is responsible for training that achieves an acceptable level of expertise. Engineering personnel must familiar with the sources of oil spills and oil waste that may cause pollution.

                                                                                                                                    

• Conclusion

In conclusion, oil spill not only can give harm to the environment but also to human and the rest of the world. Many responsible parties should take this matter seriously. It is because it may effect to the next generation in the future.