Untitled Flashcards Set

Oil Pollution

The contamination of water and shorelines with crude oil and other petroleum products, posing threats to marine life and ecosystems.

Exxon Valdez

An oil tanker that spilled 42 million liters of crude oil off the Alaskan coast in 1989, causing extensive environmental damage.

Deepwater Horizon

An offshore drilling platform where a catastrophic oil spill occurred in 2010, releasing approximately 780 million liters of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

Natural Seeps

Natural occurrences where oil escapes from underground reservoirs into the ocean, accounting for significant amounts of oil pollution.

Bioremediation

A cleanup method that uses naturally occurring or genetically modified microorganisms to break down and consume oil spills.

Containment Booms

Floating barriers used to contain oil spills on the surface of the water, preventing the spread of oil.

Dispersants

Chemicals applied to oil spills to break up and disperse the oil, although they can be toxic to marine life.

Oil Slicks

Thin layers of oil floating on the surface of water that can result from oil spills.

Offshore Drilling

The extraction of oil from beneath the ocean floor, which can lead to oil leaks and environmental pollution.

Cleanup Efforts

Actions taken to mitigate the impact of oil spills, including containment, chemical application, and bioremediation.