Oil spillage is a form of pollution that results from the release of oil products into the environment mostly marine bodies. The spillage usually poses life threatening impacts on the life of organisms. This effect occurs in two phases namely the time of spillage and the time of cleanup. Spilled oil can cause harm to living organisms because its chemical constituents are poisonous. This can affect organisms both from internal through inhalation and ingestion and external through skin and eye irritation. Spilled oil also causes the smothering of some small fish species and coats the feathers and fur of mammals and birds posing a threat in maintaining their body temperatures.
Different types of oil behaves differently when exposed into the environment .Others are more volatile hence evaporates quickly when they get in touch on the body of organisms while others are less volatile. Very volatile oils such as gasoline pose two significant problems. Firstly they easily ignite and two they are very toxic. They can kill animals or plants they touch. These oils are too dangerous to animals that breathe their fumes and or get them on their skin. In contrast, heavy oils such as bunkers oils used in fueling ships. These oils are black and sticky. They can remain in the environment for good days to months. Though less acutely toxic, they pose a short term threat as they smoother organisms. In long term, they may cause chronic problems like tumors in some organisms.
Hard oils pose a major threat to birds when they get onto its feathers. It causes a condition called hypothermia; inability of birds to maintain their temperature. Between hard and light oils, exist medium oils which last for some amount of days in the environment and results to different degrees of toxicity. Even species which are not directly in contact with the spilled may be affected by the spillage following the food chain relationship. In conclusion; oil spillage should be avoided and all measures should be taken to combat it the moment it occurs.
REFERENCES
http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/158443/
http://www.itopf.com/knowledge-resources/documents-guides/environmental-effects