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It is called "black tide" to the mass of oil spilled into the sea, with the shape of a large area, which endangers the fauna and flora of the sea. In addition, its dispersion reaches coasts and beaches, which becomes one of the most serious forms of pollution. In this Green Ecology article we explain everything you need to know about oil slicks.
Negative effects of oil slicks
The negative effects of oil spills are:
- Lack of oxygenation, because of the oil film that floats on top of the sea.
- Death of marine organisms, because of direct toxicity.
- Destabilization of buoyancy.
- Loss of heat insulation power of animals, caused by impregnation of feathers and hair.
Evolution of the oil slick
The evolution of an oil slick responds to some common parameters:
- The most volatile elements they evaporate during the first day.
- A reduced part it dissolves and organisms can assimilate it.
- The most hydrophobic part gives rise to emulsions known as "chocolate mousse", that later it oxidizes.
- A part precipitates to the bottom with the sediments and remains buried.
- One part is degraded by microorganisms present to the sea.
How to reduce environmental impact
To minimize the environmental impact, they resort to different methods:
- The mechanical collection.
- Combustion (although it is the least indicated because it causes intense atmospheric pollution).
- The pouring of detergent to make possible the dispersion of the crude oil.
- Causing the sinking of crude oil, favoring integration in the sediment.
- Favoring the action of certain microorganisms that degrade the components of oil, providing them with the food they need to grow.
If you want to read more articles similar to Oil slicks, we recommend that you enter our Pollution category.
