Context- The Kosasthalaiyar River in Ennore, Tamil Nadu has recently witnessed an oil spill by the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited after Cyclone Michaung.
What is an Oil Spill?
- Oil spill is the release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons from oil tankers, offshore platforms, drilling rigs or wells into the environment, especially into marine areas.
- Spills: These can be refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel, as well as their by-products – heavier fuels used in large ships, such as bunker fuel or any type of oily waste.
Previous cases
- International case:
- Venezuela: 2020 oil spill from the El Palito refinery in Venezuela.
- The MV Wakashio, a Japanese vessel carrying fuel oil, split in two near the Blue Bay marine park in southeastern Mauritius.
- Russia: Arctic (Norilsk diesel spill) oil spill
- Indian Cases:
- Chennai 2017: Two ships collided off the Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) port, causing a major oil spill.
- Sundarban 2014: oil spill in the Sela River in Bangladesh caused environmental problems in India as well.
- ONGC’s uranium plan leaked oil into the Arabian Sea in 2013.
- Mumbai coast: In 2010, two ships collided, causing an 800-tonne oil spill.
Damage caused by oil spill
- Environmental impact: Oil spills harm various species of fish, birds, mammals and other marine animals.
- Oil can coat and damage the fur or feathers of animals, making it difficult for them to swim or fly.
- Habitat destruction: Oil can contaminate coastal areas, including beaches, swamps and mangroves, causing long-term damage.
- Fishing and Aquaculture: Polluted waters can cause depletion of fish stocks and damage to fishing, affecting the livelihoods of communities that depend on these activities.
- In the case of Ennore, the fishermen could not catch because the catch smells of oil.
- Tourism: Tourism often declines in coastal areas affected by oil spills due to the negative perception of polluted beaches and bodies of water.
- This can cause financial damage to local businesses and communities.
- Exposure to toxic substances: Chemicals in the oil, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pose health risks to humans.
- Inhalation of vapors, consumption of contaminated seafood or direct contact with the oil can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation and long-term health effects.
International measures to combat oil spills
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1973, it recognized the need for coherent international action to control oil pollution.
- International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation 1990: This is an international document that provides a framework to facilitate international cooperation and mutual assistance in preparing for and responding to major oil spill disasters.
India’s efforts to prevent oil spills
- National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP): published in 1996 and revised in 2015.
- Its objectives are:
- Effective leak reporting
- Rapid response to oil spill prevention, control and response
- Adequate protection of the health and well-being of people and the marine environment
- Using science and technology to prevent and manage oil spills, pollution and waste.
- Its objectives are:
- Merchant Shipping Act, 1958:
- The Act describes the right to inform the owner if the central administration is satisfied that the ship does not observe the prescribed rules.
- If a person does not follow the rules, the government can, upon notification, convict the person of a crime.
- Indian Coast Guard: It acts as a central coordinator for oil spills in Indian waters.
- The Indian Coast Guard recently conducted a National Level Pollution Control Exercise (NATPOLREX-IX) near Vadinar in Gujarat.
Control measures in case of oil spill
- Bioremediation: This refers to the use of certain microorganisms to remove toxic or harmful substances.
- TERI has developed OilZapper bacteria that can quickly break down oil.
- Oil booms: These are temporary floating barriers used for marine spill containment, environmental protection and recovery.
- Use of dispersants: Dispersants are chemicals that are sprayed onto spills by planes and boats and help the natural breakdown of oil components.
Way Ahead
- Preventive measures are needed by the central coordinator, ship owners, oil processing facilities and other relevant stakeholders to prepare for a marine spill response.
- Likewise, regular maintenance of industrial equipment and adherence to standard operating and safety procedures leads to the most desirable result in preventing such disasters.
Source: The Hindu
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