Context:
Oil spill occurred in Ennore region of Chennai after Cyclone Michaung-induced floods.
- As per Indian Coast Guard, Oil spill originating from Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd. refinery has spread across 20 square kilometres into the sea.
What are Oil Spills?
- It is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into environment, especially marine areas.
What are the causes of Oil Spills?
- Equipment breaking down due to human errors; deliberate acts by illegal dumping; natural disasters like hurricanes, etc.
What are the impacts of oil spill?
- Destroys insulating ability of fur on mammals and impacts water repelling qualities of a bird’s feathers.
- Impacts immune system and reproduction of dolphins and whales by oil inhalation.
- Health problems like heart damage, immune system effects, headache due to strong odour, skin irritation, etc.
- Obstruct passage of sunlight into sea, thereby destroying photosynthesising phytoplankton.
- Impacts mangrove forests as they can no longer shield coastlines.
What are the technological solutions developed for Oil spills?
- Oilzapper –
- An eco-friendly technique of using the bacteria to get rid of oil sludges and oil- spill.
- Developed by – The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
- Oilivorous-S –
- It has an additional bacterial strain that makes it more effective against sludge and crude oil with high-sulphur content.
- Jointly developed by – TERI and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
- Usage of bacteria – Paraperlucidibaca, Cycloclasticus, Oleispira, Thalassolituus Zhongshania
What are the steps taken to prevent Oil Spills?
- India National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan by Indian Coast Guard.
- Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 has provision of Prevention and Containment of Pollution of sea by oil.
- India is party to conventions –
- Global International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
- Prevention of Pollution of marine environment from Ships (MARPOL)
- International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunker Convention)
- Oil Spill India (OSI) – An international forum on oil spill prevention, preparedness, response and restoration systems
Source: Hindustan Times
Previous Year Question
“Biorock technology” is talked about in which one of the following situations?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Restoration of damaged coral reefs
(b) Development of building materials using plant residue
(c) Identification of areas for exploration/extraction of shale gas
(d) Providing salt licks for wild animals in forests/protected areas
Answer: (a)
