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♤ Oceans are the ultimate sink of all natural and manmade pollutants. Rivers discharge their pollutants into the sea. The sewerage and garbage of coastal cities are also dumped into the sea. The other sources of oceanic pollution are navigational discharge of oil, grease, detergents, sewage, garbage and radioactive wastes, off shore oil mining, oil spills.
Oil Spills
♤ Oil spills is one of the most dangerous of all water pollutants.
♤ Oil spills from tankers at sea or leaks from underground storage tanks on land are very difficult to control as oil tends to spread very fast, affecting a large area in a very short time.
♤ On land crude is transported through pipelines or tankers which can get damaged and spew out crude oil over the land, thereby contaminating it.
♤ Since crude oil is lighter than water, it floats on the surface and poses the threat of swift-spreading fire.
♤ Oil spills at sea decrease the oxygen level in the water and cause harm to the organisms.
♤ Oil spills are also a source of air and groundwater pollution.