Gourt > Science > Environment > Energy > Petroleum in the Environment > Oil Spills (2)
An oil spill is the intentional or unintentional release of oil (generally, petroleum) into the natural environment as a result of human activity. The term often refers to marine oil spills where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters. Oil can refer to many different materials, including crude oil, refined petroleum products or by-products, oily refuse, oil mixed in waste, or oily ballast. Oil is also released into the environment from natural geologic seeps on the seafloor, as along the California coastline.
The fate, behavior, and environmental effects of spilled oil can vary depending upon the type and amount of material spilled. In general, lighter refined petroleum products such as diesel and gasoline are more likely to mix in the water column and are more toxic to marine life, but tend to evaporate relatively quickly and do not persist long in the environment. Heavier crude or fuel oil, while of less immediate toxicity, can remain on the water surface or stranded on the shoreline for much longer. Oil from the Exxon Valdez and Gulf War oil spills, while weathering over time, has persisted along the shoreline for years after the spill.
Behavior of spilled oil
Most types of oil float on the water surface, because they are less dense than water. These oil types tend to spread out and form slicks which are moved across the water surface by wind, waves, and currents. Depending upon the type of oil, some portion of oil in surface slicks will disperse naturally into the water column. More on [ Oil spill ]
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Disasters :: By Topic
Action (FL only): Keep Big Oil's rigs away from the Florida coast and keep wildlife safe from spills at: http://bit.ly/1RST4c
DreAndVicki (Robertson) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:02:55 -0000
Action (FL only): Keep Big Oil's rigs away from the Florida coast and keep wildlife safe from spills at: http://bit.ly/1RST4c
Action (FL only): Keep Big Oil's rigs away from the Florida coast and keep wildlife safe from spills at: http://bit.ly/1RST4c
mfinnelli (Marilyn Finnelli) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:28:57 -0000
Action (FL only): Keep Big Oil's rigs away from the Florida coast and keep wildlife safe from spills at: http://bit.ly/1RST4c
Western Australian devastating oil spills ever: (powerboat-world)Â Marine life, and the stateâs reputation for .. http://bit.ly/fVUdV
worldshipping (worldshippingnews) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:06:54 -0000
Western Australian devastating oil spills ever: (powerboat-world) Marine life, and the state’s reputation for .. http://bit.ly/fVUdV
@FlemingMF Calgon v. constant oil and sewage spills into the Bay? I'm not sure I'd want something that strong for my bubble bath...
CathyGellis (Cathy Gellis) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:46:20 -0000
@FlemingMF Calgon v. constant oil and sewage spills into the Bay? I'm not sure I'd want something that strong for my bubble bath...
Lakemoor salon collecting hair for mats used to soak up oil spills http://bit.ly/3gLLFu
TextConxTweets (Jim Brotherton) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:32:22 -0000
Lakemoor salon collecting hair for mats used to soak up oil spills http://bit.ly/3gLLFu
MORE OIL SPILLS: Louisiana Copes With Oil Spill, High Winds, Flooding http://ow.ly/zXk1
pdjmoo (pdjmoo) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:23:59 -0000
MORE OIL SPILLS: Louisiana Copes With Oil Spill, High Winds, Flooding http://ow.ly/zXk1
A Study of Environmental and Health Consequences of Oil Spills in Nigeria's Niger Delta - Investigation by three Nigerian environmental scientists on the impact of continuous oil spills in the Niger Delta, covering human health, air quality, fish health, and agriculture.
Meta Description: [ Title page of study on oil spills ]
Aids for Oil Spill Responders - The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's site on oil spill response. Includes training materials, links to photos of the Exxon Valdez 1989 oil spill, and research information.
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Clean Water and Oil Spills - Canadian government resources, including spills technology database, data on oil properties and information about historic tanker spills.
Meta Description: [ ETC Clean Water page ]
Incident News - News, photos, and other information about U.S. government response actions to oil spills, hazardous chemical accidents, and other incidents.
Meta Description: [ This website offers news, photos, and other information about responses to oil spills, hazardous chemical accidents, and other incidents. ]
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National Pollution Funds Center - NPFC is the fiduciary agent for the U.S. Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and the portion of Superfund accessible to the U.S. Coast Guard. Site has information on vessel certification, spill financial management, claims adjudication, and natural resources damage assessment.
Meta Description: [ Old page. Redirect. ]
National Response Center - U.S. interagency center is the sole federal point of contact for reporting oil and chemical spills in the U.S. and its territorial waters.
Oil Spill Control Technologies - University faculty member provides extensive information on spill response protocols and control tools, past spills, the U.S. Oil Pollution Control Act, spill costs, and university courses offered. Includes online simulations of hypothetical marine spills.
Oil Spill Intelligence Report - Weekly newsletter on oil spill cleanup, prevention and control.
Meta Description: [ Helping organizations leverage technology for competitive advantage and business success through content, training, and consulting ]
Oil Spill Intelligence Report: Major Oil Spills Worldwide - Ranked list of oil spills involving more than 10 million gallons. Excerpted from International Oil Spill Statistics: 1997.
Meta Description: [ Helping organizations leverage technology for competitive advantage and business success through content, training, and consulting ]
Oil Spill Web - Online equipment and service directory, conferences, RFQs, emergency contacts, news, science, debate, and oil spill response handbook.
Meta Description: [ The Oil Spill Web is the International Oil Spill Information and Resources
Center with online Oil Spill Control (Equipment, Services, Response Organizations) Directory,
Emergency Oil Spill Response Contacts, News on Latest Oil and Orimulsion Spill Response R&D
(Research and Development), Tech... ]
Responding to Oil Spills - U.S. EPA Oil Spills program home page
Save Our Seabirds Inc. - Oil Spill Response - Information about rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife affected by oil spills. Also describes training offered by this organization.
Meta Description: [ Oil spill recovery of wildlife, education and training. ]
Spillcon 2002 - 9th annual International Oil Spill Conference held in Manly, Sydney, September 2002.
Meta Description: [ Spillcon - International Oil Spill Conference - Perth, Western Australia ]
Spilled oil in the sea - Short discussion of oil behavior and fate during an oil spill, with links to additional information.
Meta Description: [ Oil behavior and fate during an oil spill in the sea ]
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