Chapter 7 - Impact of oil exploration and spillage on marine environments

Abstract

Environmental pollution is defined as an unexpected and abnormal change in the chemical, physical, or biological properties of the environment affecting the ecological balance of nature. Oil pollution or oil spill (during oil exploration and transport) refers to the release of oil (liquid petroleum hydrocarbon) into the environment, especially the marine ecosystem (flora and fauna), due to anthropogenic activities. Depending on the magnitude of oil spillage and its location the damaging effect may vary, from minimal to severe. Abundant oil spillage has a deleterious effect on life activities like respiration, feeding, spawning, thermoregulation, etc., of the aquatic organisms. Oil spillage both on land and water can be lethal to the humans, fish, birds, cattle, and wildlife in general, largely due to direct contact with the spilled oil and consumption of polluted food. It kills fish and smaller organisms (or affects the quality: tainted fishes, etc.) that are vital links in the global food chain and causes economic losses to the farmers and government. Therefore meticulous studies and global efforts (academia, institutional and government) are required for better understanding of the extent of damage caused by oil pollution so that effective remedial measures may be taken to avoid or minimize it.