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What Are the Causes of Oil Spills in the Ocean?

Oil spills in the ocean come from a surprisingly diverse number of sources. Some of the more familiar sources of oil spills are the accidental spills or leaks from vessels on the ocean, or from mining operations. However, oil spills in the ocean also come from runoffs from the land and from natural processes.

  1. Natural Causes

    • Some of the oil spills in the oceans come from natural seeps. Natural seeps are the result of crude oil seepage from geological strata underneath the ocean floor into the water. Most times, it is these seeps that reveal potential economic reserves of petroleum. According to 2011 reports from the National Academy of Sciences, natural seeps are the greatest source of oil spills in the marine environment. The report states that natural seeps account for about 45 percent of the total annual oil spills to the oceans.

    Petroleum Extraction

    • The production of petroleum and the other activities like oil and gas exploration are another significant source of oil spills. Accidents occur on offshore oil and gas platforms, contributing to the oil in the oceans. In 2010, an explosion on BP's Deepwater Horizon rig claimed 11 lives and spilled millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. It is the biggest oil spill in the history of the United States.

    Land-Based Activities

    • A lot of human activities contribute to the oil spills in the oceans. Oil and oil-based products are used to run cars, boats, marine vessels and other types of vehicles. Some people do not dispose of unwanted oil-based products like used motor oil in an appropriate manner, causing these substances to accumulate. The oil ultimately washes into land-based bodies of water, like rivers and lakes as run-offs when it rains. These urban runoffs eventually end up in seas and oceans. Other sources of runoffs from the land are large storage tanks used to store oil. When there is any damage to these tanks, oil will seep from leaks, winding up on the ground from where it will ultimately be washed into the seas and oceans.

    Transportation

    • The transportation of oil is a necessary part of the import and export of crude oil. The oil is often transported internationally over the oceans, through barges and tankers, or through underwater pipelines, which may develop leaks or cracks. Sometimes, oil spills on the oceans are the result of accidents involving vessels or an intentional act of sabotage.

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