Oil Spills: A Recurring Tragedy of Oceans

The production and use of petroleum have increased significantly due to the world's heavy reliance on this non-renewable resource despite improvements in sustainable and alternative energy sources. Petroleum is still the best energy source because of its high energy density and adaptability. It is used to make plastic, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals, among other goods, in addition to being an energy source. Another major obstacle is the relatively high cost of leaving behind decades-old businesses, transportation networks reliant on petroleum, and well-established energy grids. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the ability of oil-producing nations to hold onto their dominant position in the political-economic sphere also plays a critical role in impeding the transition to alternate energy sources.

The complex mixture of hydrocarbons, organic chemicals, and trace metals that make up petroleum is naturally found underground in sedimentary basins, the remains of ancient oceans. Although petroleum and crude oil are sometimes used synonymously, crude oil is a type of petroleum that is mainly found in liquid form. Asphalt, diesel, lubricants, petrol and other derivatives are created by extracting and refining them. Because reservoirs are located underneath or on the seabed, one of the most significant environmental risks related to petroleum is the possibility of oil leaks during extraction, transfer via tankers or pipelines, and other human activities.

Oil spills occur when natural liquid petroleum hydrocarbons, known as oil, are discharged into the environment. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) classifies this release as a marine oil spill and declares it a marine pollution disaster when it occurs in aquatic ecosystems. The detrimental repercussions of oil spills are felt across environmental, economic, and social elements. Spills are more frequent than reported, but only the bigger ones usually make the headlines. Numerous events, including tanker crashes, drilling mishaps, pipeline leaks, and malfunctions during loading and unloading, can result in oil spills.

The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF) released a report in 2020 that states that throughout the previous four years, there have been 27 incidents that have cost 28,000 tonnes of oil. Compared to the data from the 1990s, this indicates a declining trend that suggests a notable decline in the number and frequency of oil spills.

An oil spill has far-reaching effects in many different ways. Because oil has a higher viscosity than water, it resists flow and floats on the water's surface due to its lower density. Its viscosity varies in the sea and influences its behaviour as it weathers. In terms of ecology, it damages coastal habitats, including mangroves, wetlands, and salt marshes, contaminates soil and groundwater, and forms a thin coating that prevents sunlight from penetrating. Ingested oil causes direct toxicity to marine organisms, which results in poisoning, death, and disturbed reproductive systems. Oil coatings on the feathers and fur of birds and mammals cause insulation to be lost, which increases the risk of hypothermia, drowning, and death.

Oil spills have an influence on commercial aquaculture, tourism, and fisheries in addition to the environment. There are also societal repercussions, such as loss of access to the sea for indigenous groups and livelihood losses for individuals whose resources come from the water. Contamination of food and water also puts human health at risk, increasing the likelihood of illnesses like weakened immune systems, skin irritation, and cardiac problems. Moreover, health concerns, including headaches, nausea, and respiratory troubles, can be brought on by exposure to pollutants from oil spills. The prolonged recovery period and residual sediment toxicity make restoring and sustaining life in the impacted areas difficult. There are long-term effects that are hard to reverse when the entire food chain is upset.

The Mauritius oil leak on July 25, 2020, was one of the most significant oil spills in recent memory. The Japanese bulk ship MV Wakashio was grounded on a coral reef close to Pointe d'Esny, Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean, resulting in this environmental catastrophe. On August 6, the ship, which was carrying about 3,900 tonnes of very low-sulfur fuel oil, 200 tonnes of diesel, and 90 tonnes of lubricant, started to spill oil into the nearby waterways. An estimated 800–1000 tonnes of contaminants were discharged into the ocean, endangering more than 1,700 species near the impacted area.

The government of Mauritius promptly proclaimed a "state of environmental emergency" and requested outside aid. The mobilisation of environmental and oil spill professionals to provide advice to the Mauritian government was organised by the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA). NASA worked with partners to create a report that evaluated the spill using satellite data. France, Japan, the USA, and India have responded by sending technical assistance and specialised teams to lessen the situation.

Since the spill, The world community has pushed for stricter changes to international legal frameworks. Provisions for the management and prevention of oil pollution caused by ships, including accidental spills, are found in several international treaties. Nonetheless, the 2020 oil disaster has highlighted how inadequate the current norms are to hold offenders accountable for their deeds.

In the 1970s, there were 24.5 spills per year, which fell to 9.4 in the 1980s and 7.7 in the 1990s. This decline continued, with 3.2 spills per year in the 2000s, 1.8 in the 2010s, and 1.3 in the 2020s. These statistics demonstrate a decrease in the number and frequency of oil spills into the water due to global agreements and technological improvements in the use of safety precautions. This does not, however, totally remove the possibility of oil leaks brought on by human activities. Humanity must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of both global warming and international conflicts. Petroleum is an unconventional energy source that has an impact on the environment. Relying on alternate energy resources would be the most environmentally friendly course of action, but it isn't easy given the current geopolitical power dynamics. It might be more practical to gradually phase out petroleum energy as massive, dependable energy sources become more prevalent.

R. Tharrani, Research Scholar, Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy (IRP and PP), St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru-560027, India. Email: [email protected].

Dr. Karamala Areesh Kumar, Head, Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy (IRP and PP), St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru-560027, India, Email: [email protected], [email protected], ORCiD: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-3908-071X.