Why in the news?

Typhoon Gaemi caused widespread damage in Taiwan, the Philippines, and southeastern China, leading to the sinking of the oil tanker MT Terra Nova in Manila Bay.

MT Terra Nova Incident

• The MT Terra Nova, an oil tanker, capsized in Manila Bay due to severe weather conditions caused by Typhoon Gaemi. It was en route to Iloilo, Philippines, when it sank, resulting in one crew member’s death and the rescue of 16 others.
• The sinking of the MT Terra Nova has raised alarms about a potential oil spill that could become the largest in Philippine history, threatening marine life and coastal ecosystems. The spill has already spread several kilometers, prompting urgent containment efforts.
• The Philippines’ Coast Guard and other agencies are deploying containment booms and skimmers to mitigate the environmental damage. Booms are used to slow the spread of oil, while skimmers are boats that remove oil from the water surface.

How Oil Spills impact the environment? 

• Immediate Effects on Marine Life: Oil spills disrupt photosynthesis in marine plants and phytoplankton, which are crucial for oxygen production. The toxic exposure from oil can harm fish and other marine animals, particularly those near the surface.
• Impact on Birds: Oil can coat the feathers of birds, compromising their insulation and leading to hypothermia and drowning.
• Long-term Ecological Damage: Oil spills can result in bioaccumulation of toxic substances in the food chain, affecting higher-level predators, including humans.
• Threat to Coastal Ecosystems: Coastal habitats like mangroves, coral reefs, and marshlands are especially vulnerable, as oil can suffocate these environments and kill vital plants and animals. Recovery from spills can take decades, with some species facing extinction.
• Economic Impact: Communities that rely on fishing and tourism suffer economically due to oil spills, as cleanup efforts are costly and lengthy, diverting resources from other critical areas.

Major Oil Spills from the Past

• Exxon Valdez Spill (1989): One of the worst oil spills, it released approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound, killing an estimated 250,000 seabirds, 2,800 sea otters, and numerous other marine animals.  
• Deepwater Horizon Disaster (2010): This incident saw an estimated 210 million gallons of oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico over 87 days.  

Conclusion: Need to implement advanced containment measures and cleanup technologies to effectively manage oil spills. This includes deploying more sophisticated skimmers and absorbent materials, as well as utilizing drones and remote sensing to monitor the spread of oil and assess environmental damage.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now