Oil Spills - Nat Sci 3

8/8/2019 Oil Spills - Nat Sci 3

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Oil Spills: Its Immediate Effects

and Social Implications.

A Research Paper Requirement

for Natural Science 3

By

Eronile Alfonso H. Castellon

2009-41156

and

Carla Mariel Pajarillo

2008-39140

Dr. Prof. Villarante


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Table of Contents

I. Introduction

A. Crude Oil

i. The nature of crude oil

ii. Components behind Petroleum

iii. Applications and the Petroleum Industry

B. Spilling and Leaking

i. Reasons why oil seep into the sea.

ii. The process of crude oil ending up on shores.

iii. What happens to the environment when oil spills occur?

iv. How does the local and international government prevent and do damage

control?

C. The ones that got away: the Batangas oil spill.

i. The Batangas oil spill culprit still unknown.

ii. Damage control: the aftermath clean up.

iii. What the mystery oil has done for Batangas.

iv. social implications

D. The ones that plead themselves guilty: Guimaras Oil Spill

i. The Causes of the Guimaras Oil Spill.

ii. Effects of the worst oil spill in the history of our country.

iv. Local and international response to the disaster.

E. Analysis

F. Conclusion

G. Sources


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Since the time of ancient Greece, the knowledge and use of oil has been mentioned by

ancient historians like Herodotus used primarily as liniment or medicine, and not as

fuel. Although not well understood, it was generally accepted that oil began with plant fossils

just as with coal. Geologists are the primary searchers for oil, using techniques such as landform

and seismic analysis. In the modern era, crude oil is the number one source of energy all over

the world. Oil is converted to gasoline and primarily used to fuel vehicles. Other petroleum

products include medicine, perfume, carpets, paint, detergents and food preservatives.

Over millions of years, plant and animal remains fall to the floor of shallow seas. As the

seas recede, the plant material is covered by sediment layers, such as silt, sand, clay, & other

plant material. Buried deep beneath layers of rock, the organic material partially decomposes,

under an absence of oxygen, into petroleum that eventually seeps into the spaces between rock

layers. As the earth's tectonic plates move, the rock is bent or warped into folds or it "breaks"

along fault lines, allowing the petroleum to collect in pools. Early Man was not unfamiliar with

crude oil. In the Middle East escaping petroleum gases burned continuously, giving rise to fire

worship. So what makes crude oil in the ocean bad?

Oil, more importantly, persistent oil is the most common source of oil spills. As the Oil

Pollution (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 1977state, persistent oil is defined as:

A. A hydrocarbon mineral oil whether crude or distilled, including crude coal tar

and the oily residue of tank cleaning operations necessitated by the carriage of any

such oils, but excluding those oils which consist wholly of distillate fractions of

which more than 50 percent by volume distill at 340 degrees centigrade when testedby the American Society for Testing and Materials Specification D 86/67 in the case

of oils derived from petroleum and at 350 centigrade in the case of oils derived from

coal tar;


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B. Residual oil, consisting of mineral hydrocarbons comprising the residues of the

process of distilling and/or refining crude petroleum and any mixture containing such

residual oil;

C. Whale oil

Petroleum is a naturally occurring, toxic, flammable liquid consisting of a complex

mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights, and other organic compounds, that are

found in geologic formations beneath the earths surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through

oil drilling, refined and separated through boiling point into gasoline, kerosene to asphalt and

chemical reagents.

In strict terms petroleum only has crude oil, but it can commonly comprise of natural gas

and crude oil (both mixtures of hydrocarbons). In the presence of surface pressure and

temperature conditions, methane, ethane, propane and butane occur as gases while pentane and

other heavy gases turn into a liquid or solid form. Crude oil contain hydrocarbons such as

alkanes, cycloalkanes and various aromatic hydrocarbons while organic compounds contain

nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur who have metal amounts that can be traced as iron, nickel, copper

and vanadium. Chemical elements are:


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The four different types of hydrocarbon molecules that appear in crude oil are as follows:

Each petroleum variety has a unique mix of molecules, which define its physical nd

chemical properties, for example, color and viscosity. These different molecules are separated

byfractional distillation at an oil refinery to produce gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, and other

hydrocarbons. For example,2,2,4-trimethylpentane (isooctane), widely used in gasoline, has a

chemical formula of C8H18 and it reacts with oxygenexothermically:

2 C8H18(l) + 25 O2(g) 16 CO2(g) + 18 H2O(g) + 10.86 MJ/mol (of octane)

Having a heterogeneous chemical structure, petroleum or crude oil is composed of

hydrocarbon chains of different lengths. Due to its nature, it can be taken to different oil

refineries so that the hydrocarbon chemicals can be separated through distillation and be treated

by other chemical processes to be used for different purposes such as:

- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

- Ethane

- Gasoline

- Diesel Fuel

- Kerosene

- Jet Fuel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractional_distillationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2,2,4-trimethylpentanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2,2,4-trimethylpentanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasolinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasolinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exothermichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2,2,4-trimethylpentanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasolinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exothermichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractional_distillation


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- Fuel Oils

The total world consumption of crude oil in 1996 was 71.7 million barrels per day (there

are 42 US gallons in a barrel or 159 liters). OPEC estimates that total world oil consumption

could reach around 100 million barrels per day by the year 2020, (From OPEC Annual Statistical

Bulletin: 1996, OWEM Scenarios Report: 1998.) Oil spills account for only about five percent

of the oil entering the oceans. The Coast Guard estimates that for United States waters sewage

treatment plants discharge twice as much oil each year as tanker spills. During the last decade,

more than one billion gallons of oil spilled worldwide.

Oil spills happen when there is a release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the

environment due to human activity and this is considered as a form of pollution. Often associated

to marine oil spills (where oil is released into ocean and coastal waters) crude oil from tankers,

offshore platforms, drilling rings, and wells spill out to the sea, affecting billions of aquatic

species. Most human made oil pollution comes from land based operations, but the media and

government have focused intensely on sea going oil tankers.

A double hulled ship is used for transporting oil to different locations. Containing two

layers, the inner layer is where the oil is stored and the outer layer surrounds it. So if ever the

inner layer cracks, the oil would only seep through the outer layer and if the outer layer cracks

the oil would have no contact with the sea. Of course, not all oil companies follow such

precautions religiously and so oil spills occur. At time explosion happens when system failure

occurs in oil stations, such cases can have cement failing, sea water in the riser and error in the

blowout preventer.

Oil generally floats because it is lighter than water. 30-40% evaporates in the first 24-48

hours; these are the most poisonous (toxic) portions, as well as the portions that are the most


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soluble, and flammable. Oil tends to float and spread out into a very thin film on the water

surface...usually only about 0.1 mm thick...then spreads even thinner to sheen, which is one tenth

or one one-hundredth of this. Sheens are often seen as rainbow-like or silvery in puddles in

parking lots. It is very rare for oil to sink. It needs to adhere to heavier particles such as sand,

algae, or silt to sink. An exception is a kind of oil used for burning in electric utility plants. This

oil can actually sink in water since it is heavier than water. Just like in an experiment involving

the addition of vegetable oil (that acts like crude oil) to food colored water in a bottle with a cap,

shake it and see how the oil always settles on top.

A coastal state that is prepared to respond to a maritime incident will have a risk analysis

and a contingency plan that also identifies the sensitive areas. Seasonal effects with regard to

presence of wildlife, taking into consideration migrating birds, have been studied and the data are

converted into GIS maps. At least one oil drift model is available to advise the Response Team

on the behavior of the oil that is spilt into the marine environment. Therefore, in case of an

incident, estimations can be made on the possible damaging effects in specific sea areas or

coastal zones. Identifying the effects in time is important because the restoration starts soon after

the beginning of the incident and is part of the response measures.

In case of an incident, the source is easily identified and contact with the responsible can be

established. Representatives, such as a P&I club will be assisting the authorities and the Fund

provides advice and assistance. Information on the type of oil involved is available and quantities

of spilt oil can be mathematically calculated. With all this information, the Response Team will

make their strategic and operational response plan. However, there is more to oil spill

management. Other measures that need to be taken include: When tanks of a tanker are ruptured

as a result of a collision, the crew possibly assisted by a salvage team may undertake


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attempts to pump oil from these tanks into other tanks if storage space is available. Although

solidifiers for oil exist, their use is not a very viable option to stop the leakage, due to the fact

that mixing them with the oil is a difficult task. If a tanker is ruptured due to grounding on

pinnacles or in case the on board measures fail, another tanker can be brought near the casualty

and cargo can be transported from the damaged tanks into the tanker brought alongside. Usually

however, the required tanker will not be available. In that case, a sea going barge could be used

as a temporary storage facility. Transshipment is not an easy operation and safety procedures are

to be closely attended, due to the flashpoint of the oil. As oil is leaking, there is risk of explosive

gases in the area.

Monitoring, first phase

To follow the outflow of oil from the tanker, continuous monitoring of the situation is

necessary.

A possible way to do this is to follow the leakage from the tanker instruments, but that strongly

depends on the situation of the casualty. Alternatively, aerial surveillance can be performed,

supported by satellite images. Both detection instruments and visual observation in combination

with the Bonn Agreement Color Code will provide details on extensions of the slick, the assessed

volume and the drift of the slick. Aircrew can also give guidance to response vessels in case of

mechanical recovery. The rule of thumb that after a few hours 90% of the recoverable oil is in

10% of the slick may help. Dispersant spraying, depending on the type of oil and the weather

conditions, requires dedicated guidance from experienced surveillance crew.

Monitoring, second phase

Monitoring may continue, but with another objective, when oil has entered into a

sensitive area or at the coastline. If removal of the oil is impossible or dissuasive, because


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removal may cause more damage than the oil itself, natural degradation and also the restoration

process should be monitored.

Response at sea and at the coastline

Based on the information gathered through communication with the captain and with the

crew of the surveillance or observation aircraft, supported by oil drift trajectory models, the

response options are defined. Some coastal states apply dispersants, of which the advantage is

the rapid deployment, but one of the disadvantages is that the oil is not removed from the

environment. Furthermore, the dispersants could fail because of the type of oil. Mechanical

recovery is costly but effective in the sense of removing oil from the marine environment and, if

deployed quickly and well managed, it is efficient. Also depending on sea conditions,

sometimes the only response option is waiting for the oil to reach the coastline and start the

clean-up operation. However, coastal cleanup is recognized to be very difficult and sometimes

dangerous, depending on the type of coast. Pictures taken at the Spanish coastline, rocky and

open to strong waves, express the difficulties encountered. On the other hand, the sandy coastline

and smooth slope of the coastline of the Dutch coast appears to be a relatively easy job.

Protection of sensitive areas

Studies on sensitivity have been made with the objective to protect the same in case of a

floating oil slick. So, if possible, the sensitive area should be protected. Floating oil booms to

guide the oil to another area could be considered, but require a discussion on the acceptance to

sacrifice another area. Moreover, using booms as a barrier to protect an area is difficult and

depends on the weather conditions.

When oil is spilled or leaked into in waterways and the ocean, it spreads very quickly

with the help of wind and currents. A single gallon of oil can create an oil slick up to a couple of


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acres in size. The BP oil slick had spread over 580 square miles in just three days. When oil

starts mixing in water, it can change composition and becomes what's known as "mousse". This

is a sticky substance that clings even more to whatever it comes in contact with. Many marine

animals don't know to avoid a slick and some fish may even be attracted to it as it can resemble

food. Some of the many effects on animals coming into contact with crude oil include:

-Hypothermia and drowning of birds as the oil breaks down the insulating capabilities of

feathers, makes them heavier and compromises flying ability

- Hypothermia in some seal pups as the oil destroys insulating fur

- if oil is ingested, it can either poison the animal outright, make them extremely sick orcreate a level of toxins in their system that then causes poisoning further up the food

chain. Birds and other animals often ingest oil when trying to clean themselves. Shellfish

and corals are particularly at risk in these scenarios as they cannot escape from an oil

slick.

- Damage to the airways of birds and animals.

- Damage to animal immune systems

- Interruption of breeding and fouling of breeding grounds

- Thinner bird and turtle egg shells and also damage to fish larvae, causing deformities

- Damage to sea grass beds and other shelter/feeding areas

- tainting of algae, which perform a vital role in waterway ecosystems

Even once the oil appears to have dissipated; it can still lurk beneath the surface of

beaches and the sea bed, severely affecting marine organisms that burrow, such as crabs, for

literally decades. These burrowing creatures are also food for other animals, so the cycle of

poisoning continues for many years. There's really no aspect of a marine and coastal

environment that is not in some way adversely affected by an oil spill. The closer the spill occurs


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to the shoreline, the more pronounced the damage will be due to coastal zones being home to

more concentrated and diverse populations of marine, bird and animal life than far out to sea.

Socio-Economic Impact

The economic cost of the oil spill requires long term monitoring of the different sectors

impacted by the oil spill. The estimated cost for the cleanup is between 100 million and 200

million dollars. This cost depends on how thorough the cleanup is. However, the indirect cost of

the oil spill on different sectors increases everyday and the current value is more than 250

million dollars. The exact social impacts of the spill are also yet to be determined due to the war,

which has greatly affected social life. Several unexpected social problems are expected to surface

due to the oil spill. The main social impact will obviously be on local fishermen, who many of

them have not been able to fish for the past month. Some fishermen have had their boats and

gear damaged by the oil. The impact of the spill on fish resources will also reflect on the

fishermens income. Beach-based tourism is a major economic activity and constitutes a major

part of the gross domestic product (GDP). Many public and private beaches have been affected

by the oil spill. Many private boats, ships or yachts that were once used to transport tourists on

water trips and to off land islands, currently lie idle in their ports. Other social groups that

depend on the sea, such as seafood restaurants, will suffer from loss of livelihoods, consequent

unemployment, poverty due to absence of compensation and the long term inability to use the

coastal areas due to pollution.

Health Impacts

Oil has a direct effect on people through direct contact or inhalation of oil fumes. Short

term adverse effects can include nausea, headaches and dermatological problems in fishermen,


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residents living close to the affected areas and beach visitors. Long term adverse effects of oil

contact include cancer, pulmonary disease, skin diseases and hormonal disruptions.

On another note, a positive effect of an oil spill is that organisms actually use the oil for

food, and are in turn supplying food to the rest of the marine food chain. Recent published work

details how microbes are feeding on thousands of compounds that make up the oil seeping

naturally from the sea floor. These same microbes may be eating oil from accidental oil spills

and from non-point sources of oil pollution like car engines. It also creates jobs for cleaning and

promotes unity for the environment.

Here are some ways on how people clean up oil spills:

- Manual pickup - hand tools are used to collect and bag oily materials. This method

improves the appearance of the beaches.

-Tarmat breakup / removal - tarmats, which are thick asphalt-like coverings of oil, are

slow to degrade, can be broken with hand tools and then scattered or collected.

- Tilling/raking - Oil that is under the surface is exposed by using a rake to turn over thetopsoil. Raking or tilling helps in natural degradation or bioremediation (discussed below).

-Spot washing - hand-held high pressure washing tools are used to remove small

accumulations of oil. The runoff water is then collected.

A product using NASA technology is available to consumers and industry that enables

them to safely and permanently clean petroleum-based pollutants from the water. It is almost

alchemical in its perfection, as it is comprised of beeswax microcapsules that act as a food source

that stimulates the indigenous microbes to consume the oil. The product makes use of NASA

microencapsulation technology. Work was done at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to

demonstrate the feasibility of encapsulating live cells, while technology developed at
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/


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the Marshall Space Flight Centerfor experiments in orbital production of microspheres provides

the basic design of the delivery system.

The BioSok is a small, 3- by 10-inch sock with PRP encased in polypropylene that

floats in the bilge, absorbing and bioremediating any hydrocarbons, thus, decontaminating the

water. Each BioSok can immediately absorb twice its weight and can degrade more than 20

times its weight in oil over time. One BioSok will generally last for an entire boating season. It

requires no maintenance or monitoring, and it safely eliminates the pollutants and fumes

associated with spilled oil and gasoline. UniRemInc also manufactures the BioBoom, essentially

a longer BioSok that can be used to enclose larger oil spills. It is especially effective for

emergency containment of spilled oil in large areas, like in marinas, ponds, lakes, or open

waters; but can also be effective in tanks, storm runoff systems, electrical utility vaults, and

anywhere that requires the containment, absorption, and biodegredation of leaking petroleum

hydrocarbons. The BioBoom acts as a perimeter around spills and prevents them from

spreading. The snake-like tube is 3 inches in diameter and can be produced at any length up to 10

feet.

The WellBoom facilitates groundwater monitoring by absorbing floating petroleum

more effectively and less expensively than traditional bailing methods. UniRemInc makes the

standard WellBoom by filling a weighted polypropylene sock, 36 inches long and up to 3 inches

in diameter, with PRP. The product is then lowered into the groundwater monitoring wells

where it absorbs and accelerates the biodegradation of any floating petroleum hydrocarbon

contaminants. WellBoom is typically used at petroleum storage facilities, gasoline stations, and

other locations where there is a potential for groundwater contamination. OilBuster is yet
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/home/index.htmlhttp://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/home/index.html


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another product using PRP that UniRemInc has developed. It is the beeswax PRP mixed with

several grades of ground corncob and is for use on land or hard surfaces where no natural

microbial population is present. It is ideal for cleaning oil spills that have not yet reached the

water and that hopefully never will.


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BATANGAS OIL SPILL

Calatagan is a 3rd class municipality in theprovince ofBatangas,Philippines. The town

comprises the Calatagan Peninsula between the South China Sea and Balayan Bay. According to

the 2000 census, it has a population of 45,068 people in 9,201 households. The peninsula's white

sand beaches are popular vacation and leisure sites forManila's rich and famous. Several beach

resorts including the Ronco Beach Resort in barangay Bagong Silang, and the Golden Sunset

Resort in Brgy. Uno, are also well-known places for relaxation and respite from all the week's

work.

An extremely rare example of pre-Spanish Philippine script was found in Calatagan. The

script is called Baybayin in Tagalog, and was derived from Javanese language|Javanese writing,

which in turn is derived from Brahmi. This writing survives on an earthenware burial jar dated

1200s or 1300s.

On the 4th of July, year 2010, residents of the coastal town of Calatagan reported an oil

spill near its shores. The local Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed its Marine Environment

Protection Command Team to clean the area affected by the oil spill. Members of volunteer

group Bantay Dagat (Sea Watch) on Sunday spotted four foreign-flagged ships that passed by

Calatagan's coast before the oil spill was noticed. As of 8:00 a.m of July 6, the slick covered an

estimated area of 80 by 12 meters. Perhaps the crewmen of one of the vessels were cleaning

their ships. This has been a long time problem in our area and we don't know who they are. A

statement from Bantay Dagat chair, Rodrigo De Jesus. He added that newly-planted mangroves

around the coastline may die in a matter of days after absorbing the leaked oil, and said that

residents of the affected villages have difficulty breathing because of the oil's foul smell.
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. Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, wanted to hold the erring oil spiller

responsible for the environmental offense. At least four foreign-flagged vessels were anchored

off the Calatagan coast before the spill was discovered by Bantay Dagat (Sea Watch) volunteers,

according to reports that reached the PCG station in Batangas City. Based on the collected

sludge samples that Lieutenant Commander Troy Cornelio, PCG-Batangas sphere headed, it

would take the PCG two days to determine the source of the oil spill. Tamayo has deployed a

PCG environmental protection team to join Department of Environment and Natural Resources

personnel in the Calatagan coast clean-up operations. A PCG Islander aircraft has "closely

monitored the oil spill," as well as the vessel movements in the Calatagan area.

Another devastating spill happened seven days after the Batangas oil spill that occurred

on the 4th of July. Authorities feared that a massive coal spill could damage marine life in

Batangas Bay after a barge loaded with 8,000 metric tons of coal ran aground in Nasugbu at the

height of typhoon Basyang last July 14. Divers checked the barges damaged hull to stop any

possible coal spill. Upon learning of the incident, our team disembarked the tug boat then

proceeded to inspect the grounded barge, Lt. Cmdr. Troy Cornelio, Batangas Coast Guard

commander said. During the inspection, it was learned that it tilted by 30 degrees to its port side.

The cargo was still intact and there were no traces of oily substance in the vicinity. The barge

was overloaded because its gross tonnage capacity was only 3,233, he added. Cornelio said they

have instructed the barge master not to pull the barge out without a salvage permit from the

Coast Guard. The barge was being towed when its towing lines broke and caused the barge to

drift in the shallow waters of Sitio Ibaba near the Kuala Beach Resort, he added. Cornelio said

they advised the barges owner to look for an appropriate salvage company accredited by the

Coast Guard. Felix Punzalan, operation officer of Bulkhead Philippines, arrived at the Coast


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Guard detachment in Nasugbu last July 16 to inform that they will submit a salvage work plan

and coordinate with concerned agencies for boarding formalities. Cornelio said the coal was to

be delivered to Republic Cement in Manila when the accident occurred. Based on investigations,

last July 14, while transiting Fortune Island passage, the vessel encountered big waves and strong

winds brought by typhoon Basyang. Cornelio said the Singaporean-owned barge Trans 306,

mastered by Captain Yen Pinu Ambat, left Kalimantan, Indonesia last June 27 for the Philippines

to deliver 8,000 metric tons of coal. The barge is owned and operated by PT Transpower Marine

with Port of registry in Singapore. The local agent is Bulkhead Shipping Inc. with office address

at Room 309, Dante Ang Building, Andres Soriano St. Intramuros, Manila. Based on studies of

the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, a spillage of tons of hard coal could

bring enormous damage to the coral and sea grass areas in Batangas Bay.

AN oil spill affecting four towns in Batangas has threatened the livelihood of fishers in

the area. Fisherfolk groups based in are criticizing the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for failing

to identify who was responsible for the oil spill. The oil spill was discovered by local fishers

who said four foreign-fishing boats were in the waters off Calatagan at the time. The residents

and the fisherfolk groups expressed fear that the oil spill could cause the economic dislocation of

fishers in the towns of Calaca, Lemery, San Juan, Lian and Nasugbu. The Haligi ng

Batangueong Anakdagat (Habagat) said the 91,000 people living in Calatagan alone source

their livelihood from fishing or eat fish caught in the waters of Calatagan. The oil spill,

measuring 80 meters by 4 meters, has so far affected mangrove forests and a declared fish

sanctuary off the municipal waters of Calatagan. The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang

Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) also expressed puzzlement as to why authorities have

yet to identify the source of the oil spill. The Pamalakaya officials said failure by the PCG to


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identify and punish the perpetrators of the oil spill would earn the Coast Guard the collective

outrage of small fishers in the province. The oil spill may result in the sudden drop in income of

fisherfolk in Calatagan, Lemery, San Juan, Lian and Nasugbu. It could easily affect the

estimated 10,000 families who fish in Balayan Bay. The Department of Environment and

Natural Resources sent an investigating team to look into the incident although the militant

fisherfolk group believes that the reaction was a little late. Environment Secretary Ramon P.J.

Paje had instructed environment field officers to identify the source and perpetrators of the oil

spill who could be held liable under the United Nations Convention on the Prevention of

Maritime Pollution, of which the Philippine government is a signatory. According to

Pamalakaya, at least four foreign-owned fishing vessels were anchored off Calatagan waters

before the oil spill was discovered that Sunday.


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GUIMARAS OIL SPILL

On August 11, 2006, the worst oil spill in the Philippines happened near the island of

Guimaras in Visayas. Due to violent weather M/T Solar I, chartered by Petron Corp. sank off the

coast of the said island. M/T Solar I, alleged to be overloaded, leaked 530,000 gallons of oil near

Guimaras, which is between Panay and Negros. (Puyat, 2010)

Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (Tinmar), a marine sanctuary for feeding and

breeding ground for fish and other species has been greatly damaged by the spill disturbing the

communitys economy.

Eco-region coordinator of the World Wide Fund for Nature, Dr. Jose Ingles, said that the

damahe may be felt by at least two generations. He warned that the disaster may have damaged

the reefs and mangroves, scarring the ecosystem and causing seafood yields to significantly

decrease. As expected, this catastrophe will have a great impact on the livelihood of the

fishermen, especially the ones living in poor conditions.

The Sulu Sea, located southeast of the spill, is a deep water area frequented by

commercially valued fishes. The towns of southern Negros Occidental province pride themselves

as the home of the Blue Marlin and the Yellow Fin Tuna. This is an important source of income

for the communities. When the slick is not effectively contained, this will surely damage this

thriving local industry.

A villager from Barangay Lapaz, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras became the first casualty

directly affected by the spill. He died after inhaling the fumes of the oil sludge causing him to

contract cardio-respiratory disease. Two workers from the ship have also been reported missing.


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August 22, 2006, the Philippine Coast Guard stated that the spill has affected 20

communities in 4 municipalities in Guimaras. It also threatened 27 communities in the province

of Iloilo and 17 others in Negros Occidental.

Due to the extent of the disaster, the Philippine Government asked the governments of

Indonesia, Japan and the United States of America to assist our country for the expected 3 year

long clean up.


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Task Force Guimaras was created on August 22 by former President Gloria Arroyo to

oversee both the cleanup and the retrieval of 1.5 million liters of tanker fuel. Our government

also ordered the creation of the Special Board of Marine Inquiry to determine who and what

caused the spill.

Clemente Cancio, president of Sunshine Maritime Development Corporation, who owns

M/T Solar I, at that time, said that their foreign insurer is willing to pay the cost of the damage.

Former PGMA vowed a full investigation into the worst oil spill in the history of

the Philippines that devastated marine and terrestrial balance. Arroyo also ordered the justice

department to join a special task force heading an investigation and clean up on the island of

Guimaras, where some 300 kilometers (180 miles) of coastline, including stretches of pristine

beaches, have been affected by the oil slick from the sunken Solar 1 tanker. We shall do

everything in our power to right the wrongs caused by this unfortunate incident, Arroyo said

after visiting the island, adding that she was deeply pained by the disaster that she has declared a

national calamity.

Also, on August 17, British oil experts sent by the Sunshine Maritime Development

Corporation, arrived in Guimaras to help assess the situation. The Britons conducted an aerial

survey over Guimaras and stated that recommendations will be proposed after studying the

findings.


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ANALYSIS

There have been a lot of concern regarding oil spills, and during this research, it finds all

these steps a bit mediocre to the way oil spills can be handled. Different technologies are now

available so that there would be no need for damage control, only prevention. Is it easier to wait

for the environment to be contaminated before people find better solutions?

The way that the local government reacted to the oil spill incidents suggests that the

Philippines intentions may be heroic but it is temporary. The mere fact that it was the fishermen

who first reported of such oil spill incidents prove to be one of the persistent problem of

Philippine society, that there is no change nor efforts in preserving a healthy and clean

environment. The government waits for immediate effects like fish kills and people poisoning

from oil spills instead of targeting the first leak of that oil.

Although there have been reports of fishermen making this oils spill their own agenda

(gathering the oil from sea water surface through the use of a local root), the government should

still be able to at least help people prepare for such accidents. In fact, the government should pay

more attention to coming up with innovative ideas to identifying, isolating and possibly tracing

oil spills back to their sources. There will be a lot of Filipino scientists who would be interested

to produce something of great worth to technology only if such scientists are funded.


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Lastly, there will be no hope for Filipinos if they do not know how oil spills destroy our

environment, how pollution destroys the future. Education is still the primary foundation for

preservation. Providing accurate data and truth can jolt the people that there is no other moment

but now, there is no other solution but them.

CONCLUSION

People are imperfect. Mistakes are inevitable. People makes mistakes.

An Oil Spill is a form of pollution where liquid petroleum hydrocarbon is released to the

environment due to human activity.

Life without the use of oil will surely be difficult. We use oils in our daily lives when we

take a bath, when we travel, when we use synthetic rubber, and in a lot of modern day activities.

Use of oil today is inevitable but manageable.

Could we really live a life without the use of oils? There was one time in my life where

our city experienced a major blackout that lasted for two days. During the first night, I asked my

siblings about, What would you do if the electricity never goes back? How could we live our

lives after such breakdown? What if we reach the point when the maximum rate of global

petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline which

is also known as Peak Oil?

The bigger problem is not with the sailors, the captains, or other sea faring people making

their mistakes. It is about us. Summing up all land oil wastes will surely surpass our yearly

marine oil spills.


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We cant do much about oil spills, but we can bring about change to our community and

to the rest of the world, by accepting human error and believing that there is still room for

change for the better.

Sources:


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1. The Impacts of Marine Pollution. Ed. by Douglas J. Cusine and John P. Grant

2. www.library.thinkquest.org

3. www.absorbentsonline.com

4. www.greenline.org.lb

5. www.greenlivingtips.com

6. www.physorg.com

7. www.sti.nasa.gov

8. www.awma.org

9. Wikipedia

10.www.thepoc.net

11.www.businessmirror.com.ph

12.www.newsinfo.inquirer.net

13. Puyat, R. Historic oil spills around the world. The Manila Times. July 11, 2010

14.www.manilatimes.net

15.www.earthsci.org
http://www.library.thinkquest.org/http://www.absorbentsonline.com/oilspillbasics.htmhttp://www.greenline.org.lb/new/pdf_files/fact_sheet_3.pdfhttp://www.greenlivingtips.com/blogs/164/Effects-of-oil-spills.htmlhttp://www.physorg.com/news141996817.htmlhttp://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/Spinoff2006/er_1.htmlhttp://www.awma.org/enviro_edu/fact_sheets/oil_spills1.htmlhttp://www.thepoc.net/breaking-news/environment/8433-oil-spill-threatens-calatagan.htmlhttp://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27389:oil-spill-threatens-batangas-coastline&catid=45:regions&Itemid=71http://www.newsinfo.inquirer.net/http://www.manilatimes.net/http://www.library.thinkquest.org/http://www.absorbentsonline.com/oilspillbasics.htmhttp://www.greenline.org.lb/new/pdf_files/fact_sheet_3.pdfhttp://www.greenlivingtips.com/blogs/164/Effects-of-oil-spills.htmlhttp://www.physorg.com/news141996817.htmlhttp://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/Spinoff2006/er_1.htmlhttp://www.awma.org/enviro_edu/fact_sheets/oil_spills1.htmlhttp://www.thepoc.net/breaking-news/environment/8433-oil-spill-threatens-calatagan.htmlhttp://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27389:oil-spill-threatens-batangas-coastline&catid=45:regions&Itemid=71http://www.newsinfo.inquirer.net/http://www.manilatimes.net/

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