What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?
1. Oil pollution is the entry of
Oil pollution is the entry of crude or refined petroleum into seas through spills, tanker accidents and operational discharges.
2. Slicks smother shorelines
Slicks smother shorelines, coat seabirds and mammals, block sunlight and impede oxygen exchange in water.
3. Toxic hydrocarbons poison plankton
Toxic hydrocarbons poison plankton, eggs and larvae; PAHs bioaccumulate and biomagnify through marine food chains.
4. Coral reefs
Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass and salt marshes are highly vulnerable, with contamination persisting for years.
5. Fisheries
Fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and coastal livelihoods collapse; cleanup costs run into billions of dollars.
6. India imports most of its crude
India imports most of its crude oil, with tanker traffic heavy along Indian Ocean lanes near its island territories.
7. India’s long coastline
India’s long coastline, dense coastal population and mangrove ecosystems like Sundarbans heighten spill vulnerability.
8. Mitigation includes MARPOL 73/78
Mitigation includes MARPOL 73/78, oil spill contingency plans, bioremediation and regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
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