Oil
is a sticky, oozing substance, with lasting effects on the environment including
contaminating soil, killing plants, harming wildlife or even destroying their
homes. While many effects are immediate, some are long term, and can take
decades to recover from. Oil affects everything it touches, turning it into an
unpleasant environmental mess.
It has been estimated that 1% of Russia's oil collection (or 5 million tons) is spilled each year. If it is from leaking pipes or old wells oil spills every day. The lack of strict regulations, 8 tons or less of leakage/spillage carry no penalties, contribute to the on-going problem. Many leaks go undetected because they take place in unpopulated areas from decommissioned wells. Brutally cold winters weaken the pipes causing ruptures unless maintained and replaced.
In the Komi Republic, the site of Russia’s largest spill estimated at 100,000 tons, the oil has killed the plants and animals. The fishing and hunting they once relied on is now gone.
Once oil reaches a water way, such as a stream or river, it poses an even bigger problem. Oil will float on top of the water, but eventually sinks to disrupt the marine life below. Fish and the very environment they thrive in are disturbed, throwing the food chain off balance. As fish consume or breathe the oil, they, too, are contaminated and will eventually die. Other animals, or even humans who relied on those fish, must now seek out other food sources.
It has been estimated that 1% of Russia's oil collection (or 5 million tons) is spilled each year. If it is from leaking pipes or old wells oil spills every day. The lack of strict regulations, 8 tons or less of leakage/spillage carry no penalties, contribute to the on-going problem. Many leaks go undetected because they take place in unpopulated areas from decommissioned wells. Brutally cold winters weaken the pipes causing ruptures unless maintained and replaced.
In the Komi Republic, the site of Russia’s largest spill estimated at 100,000 tons, the oil has killed the plants and animals. The fishing and hunting they once relied on is now gone.
Once oil reaches a water way, such as a stream or river, it poses an even bigger problem. Oil will float on top of the water, but eventually sinks to disrupt the marine life below. Fish and the very environment they thrive in are disturbed, throwing the food chain off balance. As fish consume or breathe the oil, they, too, are contaminated and will eventually die. Other animals, or even humans who relied on those fish, must now seek out other food sources.