What are the Environmental Effects of Oil Spills?

There are many environmental effects of an oil spill which can be caused by a number of things including but not limited to: operator mistakes, old and broken equipment, nature, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, and acts of destruction. An oil spill can have major, irreversible effects on humans, air quality, wild life and the atmosphere whether the spill happens on land or water. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 10-25 million gallons of oil are spilled annually.

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Contamination of Water

• Birds walk around a dead fish.

  Oil spills in the ocean or any body of water, have the greatest effects on the environment due to the way in which the oil mixes with the water, the difficult clean-up, and the vast amount of affected life in the ocean. An oil spill that occurs in the ocean or near, on the coast line, harms marine life like whales, and every type of fish that comes in contact with the oil, including the birds that prey on the sea organisms, and their habitats. The oil will enter the sea life's lungs and liver, eventually killing the life. Birds can be covered in the oil, which prevents flying, and when the birds try to clean themselves free of the oil, the toxic chemicals of the oil can have tragic effects.

Contamination of Land

• Spilled oil can find its way to lakes and streams.

  Oil spills on land are easier to clean-up because of the localized nature of the spill, however, the the effects of the spill is no less harmful. The main concern is that the oil will find it's way into water supplies and streams, thus effecting many people and animal life. Spilled oil, like in your driveway for instance, can also find it's way to drainage and sewer systems. The oil can also contaminate the soil and groundwater if not eliminated quickly, at what time you would have to remove the affected soil or use a soil venting system, both costly efforts.

Contamination of Air

• A man experiences a headache.

  Oil spills also contaminate the air. In low doses of the oil vapors, a person could experience temporary effects like headaches, nausea, eye irritation and temporary loss of consciousness. If a person is exposed to oil spills vapors over a long period, respiratory problems can occur, and overall health could be affected, permanently. Vapors can also have a chemical reaction with other substances such as bacteria, and have adverse effects on the atmosphere.