Management of Oil Pollution (Copy)
2.6 Management of Oil Pollution – Cheat Sheet
Strategies to Reduce Oil Spills
| Strategy | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| MARPOL Convention | International agreement to prevent pollution from ships; sets rules for waste/oil disposal at sea | Adopted by IMO, enforced globally |
| Double-Hulled Tankers | Extra hull layer reduces risk of oil leakage in accidents | Now standard for new oil tankers |
| Stricter Regulations | Fines, monitoring of tankers, designated shipping lanes | EU rules post-Prestige spill (2002) |
| Improved Technology | Leak detection in pipelines, safer drilling rigs | Remote sensors for pipeline monitoring |
Strategies to Minimise Impacts of Spills
| Method | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Booms | Floating barriers prevent oil spreading | Used in Gulf of Mexico, 2010 |
| Skimmers | Machines skim oil off the water’s surface | Exxon Valdez cleanup |
| Detergent Sprays (Dispersants) | Break oil into smaller droplets → easier for bacteria to degrade | Corexit dispersant in Deepwater Horizon spill |
| Bioremediation | Oil-degrading bacteria introduced to accelerate breakdown | Alaska shorelines post-Exxon Valdez |
| Burning | Oil set alight on surface to remove quickly | Controlled burns in Gulf of Mexico, 2010 |
Case Study Example
- Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico (2010)
- Cause: Explosion on BP offshore rig → millions of barrels spilled
- Impact: Massive marine & coastal ecosystem damage, fisheries collapse, tourism decline
- Management: Booms, dispersants, skimmers, controlled burning, long-term restoration projects
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Environmental Management Full Scale Course