Oil Pollution (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Flashcards
Exam code: 0680
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Define marine oil pollution.
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Cards in this collection (33)
Define marine oil pollution.
Marine oil pollution is the release of crude oil or refined oil products into the ocean or onto coastlines.
Define oil extraction.
Oil extraction is drilling to remove oil from beneath the land or the sea floor.
How can on-shore oil extraction pollute the sea?
On-shore extraction can cause oil run-off that enters rivers, which eventually flow into the ocean.
Accidents such as on off-shore rigs release large quantities of oil into the sea.
Accidents such as blowouts on off-shore rigs release large quantities of oil into the sea.
True or False?
Undersea pipeline leaks are easy to detect and repair.
False.
Undersea pipeline leaks are difficult to detect and repair, so oil can escape unnoticed for long periods.
Why do busy shipping lanes become polluted with oil even without major accidents?
Small operational spills during refuelling or transfers between ships accumulate in busy shipping lanes.
How does cleaning tanks at sea cause oil pollution?
Tankers may illegally release waste oil and oily water from their tanks, which covers large areas with thin films of oil.
How can oil from refineries reach marine ecosystems?
Untreated wastewater and oily sludge from refineries can escape into rivers, coastal areas and drainage systems.
True or False?
Oil on its feathers helps a seabird stay warm.
False.
Oil reduces the waterproofing and insulation of feathers, so birds lose body heat and often die from exposure.
Oiled feathers become , which makes flying difficult and reduces a bird's ability to escape predators.
Oiled feathers become heavy, which makes flying difficult and reduces a bird's ability to escape predators.
How can oil harm marine mammals through their food?
Marine mammals can suffer poisoning when they eat fish or invertebrates contaminated with oil.
Why can oil cause fish to suffocate?
Oil reduces oxygen levels in the water and can damage the gills, which makes breathing harder for fish.
How does an oil slick affect seaweeds?
Oil blocks sunlight and reduces photosynthesis, so seaweeds may die or grow more slowly.
True or False?
Burrowing crustaceans face only short-term exposure to spilled oil.
False.
Oil settles into sediments where crustaceans live, so burrowing species face long-term contamination.
Toxic chemicals that coral polyps absorb from oil can contribute to coral , stress or death.
Toxic chemicals that coral polyps absorb from oil can contribute to coral bleaching, stress or death.
How does oil affect fish eggs and larvae?
Oil causes deformities, poor development and lower survival rates in fish eggs and larvae.
How does oil on beaches affect people?
Thick oil stops people using beaches for recreation, and the beaches may need costly clean-up operations.
Define MARPOL.
MARPOL (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) is a global treaty that sets rules to reduce pollution from ships.
How does a double-hulled tanker reduce the risk of oil spills?
A double-hulled tanker has two layers of steel around its oil storage area, so the inner layer still holds the oil if the outer hull is damaged.
Regular inspection and repair of ships and pipelines reduces leaks caused by or mechanical failure.
Regular inspection and repair of ships and pipelines reduces leaks caused by corrosion or mechanical failure.
What hazards do risk assessments of shipping routes identify?
Risk assessments identify hazards such as shallow waters, reefs, busy ports and hazardous weather.
True or False?
MARPOL deals only with accidental oil spills.
False.
MARPOL also limits how ships handle waste and chemicals, and it helps reduce illegal dumping.
How do improved navigation systems such as GPS and radar lower the chance of spills?
Improved navigation systems give better accuracy and control, which reduces collisions, groundings and human error.
Define boom.
A boom is a floating barrier placed around an oil spill to contain the oil and stop it spreading.
Define sorbent.
A sorbent is a material that absorbs oil from the water's surface.
When are sorbents most useful in an oil spill clean-up?
Sorbents are most useful for smaller spills or the oil patches left after other strategies.
How do detergent sprays help remove an oil slick?
Detergents break the oil into tiny droplets that mix with water, so natural processes can break the oil down more easily.
True or False?
Detergent sprays are harmless to marine life.
False.
Some detergent chemicals are toxic to fish, shellfish and plankton, so overuse makes the detergent a pollutant itself.
Define skimmer.
A skimmer is a machine that collects oil from the water's surface and stores it for safe disposal.
Skimmers work most effectively in waters, where they quickly reduce the thickness of oil slicks.
Skimmers work most effectively in calm waters, where they quickly reduce the thickness of oil slicks.
What is the main drawback of controlled burning?
Controlled burning releases smoke and air pollutants.
True or False?
Controlled burning removes spilled oil only slowly.
False.
Controlled burning removes large amounts of oil rapidly, which helps stop the pollution spreading.
When is controlled burning safe to use on an oil spill?
Controlled burning is safe to use when the oil is thick enough to ignite safely.
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