Environmental impacts of marine oil spill; a case study of Deepwater Horizon oil spill at the Gulf of Mexico United States of America 2010 (a review)

Abstract

On 20thApril, 2010, Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred at the Gulf of Mexico, United States of America where large amount of oil spilled in to the water as a result of wellhead blowout from the rig. The spill marked as the largest oil spill ever in the USA and causes large impacts to the marine species and the surrounding environment which could last long after the spill. Petroleum consists of aromatic hydrocarbons (such as monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), which causes lethal and sub lethal toxic effect to the marine life and public health. The impact of the spill causes death and injury to many marine flora and fauna which could result to the disturbance of the ecosystem and may take long time before it  recovers to its normal condition. Various methods were used to rescue the environment and the species but some methods (such as chemical dispersants, hot water) have side effects to wild life. Before the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a number of oil spills occurred and caused large impacts to the marine organisms and the surrounding environment, and some impact are still yet to recover.

Keywords: Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Marine flora & fauna, Oil spill, Petroleum