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Oil Spill Effects on Environment

The general fate & transport of oil spill, which influence its effect on the environment, is based on several main oil characteristics. Subsequently, the main oil spill effect on environment in relation to various oil characteristics is resumed in the following table:

Main oil characteristics relevant to fate & transport Spilled environment Fate & transport of spilled oil
Lighter (less dense) than water Aqueous (e.g., marine) Spilled oil will accumulate on top of water surface; if spilled underwater (such as from offshore drilling) oil will move upward and settle on surface of water. Then, it may disperse over large areas, which is exacerbated in a marine environment due to the various water currents and waves.
Land or Subsurface Spilled oil will move down based on gravity and may reach groundwater bodies – in which case it will form a sheen on top of groundwater and will move usually at lower speeds
Mixture of volatile compounds (e.g., hydrocarbons) Aqueous (e.g., marine) Once spilled oil start evaporating when in contact with air (when it reaches the top of water). Thus, air above the spill become polluted with various volatile oil components. Depending on concentration, such air pollutants may travel being blown by wind as well as with aerosols.
Land or Subsurface Volatilization is accentuated on land surface and in shallow subsurface depths due to the requirement of spilled oil to be in contact with air in order for the volatilization to occur. Volatilization may occur also from a spill accumulated on top of shallow groundwater. Once evaporated, the volatile gaseous compounds usually travel upward through soil pores and, depending on concentration, may reach surface and accumulate in any existing structure (e.g., homes) at the surface
Mixture of compounds with different water solubility Aqueous (e.g., marine) Although oil is little water soluble and accumulates on top of water (as non-aqueous phase liquid), some oil individual compounds may dissolve (to some extent) in water. If dissolved such compounds become more mobile (moving faster with water) and more bioavailable to be taken by marine life
Land or Subsurface  
Formation of oil slicks or sheens on water Aqueous (e.g., marine) Because oil and water are not miscible, an oil slick forms when oil is spilled in water. This increases the resistance of oil to natural attenuation processes and makes it more persistent in the environment. Yet, in marine spills due to the presence of plenty of air and sun light, the oil slick does not persist so much as in groundwater or subsurface soils and sediments.
Land or Subsurface Oil is less leachable by precipitation water and may persist in subsurface environments, including on top of groundwater for decades
Oil physical state (liquid) and biodegradable components Aqueous (e.g., marine) Some natural attenuation processes may reduce the amount of soiled oil even in the absence of human intervention. This is due to a combination of evaporation, dissolution, and biodegradation of oil spill. In marine or river environments such natural attenuation processes are faster than those in subsurface environments, on land or in groundwater.
Land or Subsurface
Oil composition involving the presence of individual components with environmental persistence and bioaccumulative potential (e.g., PAHs) Aqueous (e.g., marine) Some oil components (such as PAHs) may persist longer in environment, accumulating in sediments, marine life, fishes and wildlife in general
Land or Subsurface

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