Oil Spills and Marine Slicks

Oil spills caused by human activity on water bodies cause oil slicks to affect the environment. The term usually refers to marine oil spills when oil gets released into ocean or coastal waters. The Exxon Valdez oil spill is a case in point that made world headlines and made disastrous differences to the environment.

Crude oil and refined petroleum products are often cast on ocean waters either as refuse from ships or as accidental spills. It takes months or even years to clean up. Most human-created oil pollution comes from land-based activity and not only from seagoing oil tankers as is generally understood.

Oil spills harm sea creatures, often irreversibly. It also limits the photosynthesis of marine plants and phytoplankton since oil floating atop does not allow light to penetrate the waters. This also decreases the fauna populations and affects the food chain of the ecosystem.

Both marine mammals and sea birds exposed to oil spills are affected in similar ways. Oil coats the bodies of these animals reducing their insulation abilities leading to body temperature fluctuations and hypothermia. Ingestion of the oil causes dehydration and impaired digestions. Human use areas like airports, diving sites, beach sites, marinas, natural reserves or marine sanctuaries also get affected by oil spills. Often archaeological or cultural sites, shoreline access points and recreational areas get smeared.