Oil Spill Close to Home
- Maggie Jensen
- Feb 19, 2021
- 2 min read
Fossil fuels are used to make a variety of fuels and goods across the globe. One such fossil fuel is crude oil, which after being drilled and pumped out of the ground is then transported to refineries. Unfortunately, there are more accidents that occur during this process than you may think. Smaller spills generally occur when ships get supplied with fuel, whereas, large spills are often a result of significant disasters. Although not all oil spills are large, they can still have devastating and lasting impacts on the nearby ecosystems.
A spill recently occurred on Tuesday, February 9th in “Long Wharf” Richmond. This spill, which is currently being investigated by Chevron, is a result of a leaky pipeline that left nearly 600 gallons of oil in the Bay. Though the exact cause has not been discovered, the poor outcome is quite clear. Aside from a strong smell reported by nearby houses, the spill will likely impact the ability of nearby plants and animals to thrive. Regardless of location or severity, it is crucial that wildlife is assisted with cleaning and rehabilitation processes. In the case of Tuesday’s spill, a community notice was issued and crews were reported to have begun cleaning and containing the oil. Methods of cleaning include skimming oil from the sea surface, placing physical barricades, and using chemical agents to break up the oil on the surface. But these processes can never successfully get rid of all the oil released and in some cases can even cause more damage.
Most remember the large devastating spills that have occurred in the past, but it is also important to place emphasis on the many small spills that occur each year. Whether or not you live near Richmond, CA, there have likely been oil spills local to you. Beyond pushing companies like Chevron to be more cautious when transporting their oil, impacted communities can learn about local events and help protect nearby ocean life.
Sources:
Comments