Have you ever heard the phrase ‘life-changing experience’?
Often, this occurrence can be used to describe the loss of a loved one, the start of a new relationship, or a demand for change after a severe accident.
Some experiences are best left unknown, however. During the last year alone, the transportation of oil has increased. This increase could potentially result in more oil spills.
Have you ever wondered what the worst oil spills in history were? If so, keep reading to discover some of the world’s most significant oil spill disasters.
1. Deepwater Horizon
There have been many large oil spills in history, but the Deepwater Horizon spill is considered one of the biggest.
This was caused by an explosion on an oil rig, which caused a lot of damage and released a large amount of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010.
An estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil were released into the environment. This caused extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats. The oil spill impact is still being felt today.
2. Exxon Valdez
The spill happened in 1989 when an oil tanker ran ashore in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. The Exxon Valdez spilled more than 10 million gallons of oil, which coated more than 1,300 miles of coastline.
The spill caused massive environmental damage and killed hundreds of thousands of animals. The Exxon Valdez was the largest oil spill in U.S. history at the time, and it remains one of the largest oil spills ever.
3. Ixtoc I
The Ixtoc I oil spill began on June 3, 1979, when a wellhead on the Ixtoc I oil platform in the Bay of Campeche, Mexico, exploded and started gushing crude oil.
For nine months, oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico, eventually causing the biggest oil spill in history at the time. An estimated 3.5 million barrels of oil were released, causing widespread environmental damage to the coasts of Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana.
The spill also had a devastating effect on the local economy and marine life.
Steps to Take if You Are Ever Involved in an Oil Spill
Oil spills can have devastating effects on the environment and human health. They can cause water pollution, soil contamination, and air pollution. They can also harm and kill wildlife.
It is essential to know the steps to take if you are ever involved in an oil spill.
- Stop the flow of oil. This can be done by shutting off the spill source, such as a valve or pipeline. If the spill is coming from a ship, you can use booms to contain the oil.
- Clean up the oil. This can be done by skimming it off the water’s surface or using absorbent materials to soak it up. The oil can then be collected and properly disposed of.
- Clean up the spill and restore the area.
You can equip yourself with these skills by taking oil spillage training. Check out this page to learn more.
We Must Take Action to Prevent Future Oil Spills
These and other major oil spills have had devastating impacts on the environment and the economy.
As we continue to rely on oil as a significant energy source, we must take steps to prevent and mitigate the risks of spills. We need to be more careful with our use of oil and take steps to prevent future spills.
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