The British Petrolium Oil Spill

By: Marlee Mandel 7A

The British Petrolium explosion occurred in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010 at 11:00 pm. It was an unexpected explosion. Eleven workers died in the accident. By May 2,2010 6 million litres had escaped into the ocean. The explosion caused the pipe that went from the oil rig to the ocean to break. All the oil had no where to go but into the water. The pipe was drilled into the ground, under the ocean, a mile deep. At that depth, there is a lot of pressure, and the massive oil deposit leaked very quickly. They therefore had to stop the oil flow as quickly as possible.

How it Happened

This is a picture of the eleven crew men who died from the oil spill.

Within days of the accident, the US federal government created a Unified Area Command to monitor the response and all communications surrounding the oil spill. The members included the US Environmental Protection Agency, Health Administration, the US Coast Guard and many more. They tried many different ways to stop the leak. They tried drilling two relief wells. They had containment system that used a pipe that brought the oil up to the surface. They tried to funnel the oil into a secure pipe. They made and tried a new system called hydro-excavation. The US Coast Guard tried performing controlled burning. This was a good idea because oil and water separate so it would be easier to get the oil to catch on fire. The final solution to stop the oil from flowing was made from a dome cap. As of July 15, 2010, the oil leak has stopped.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO STOP THE FLOW OF OIL

What has been done to clean up the oil

In addition to burning the oil, it can also be considered a method of clean-up. Used in nearly every oil spill, people use manual and or mechanical methods of cleanup. They used shovels, rakes and gloves to collect oil from the shore on the beaches. They collect oil from the ocean by putting a boom on the side of a boat with a skimmer. Natural recovery also occurred as the ocean was able to disperse the oil, some sank, and a lot of it was absorbed.

The environmental impacts of the oil spill

Ecosystem- This impacted the lives of animals in the water because their bodies were covered in oil. Some animals even died. Once the oil touches a solid, it clings to it. Once the oil reaches the shore, the plants and grasses absorb the oil. It damaged the plants and made many affected areas unsuitable habitats. The oil can sink after a long period of floating on the water. This damaged the global food chain because the oil killed many animals that live in the ocean and near its bottom.

Humankind-It impacted people who worked in the fishing industries who relied on fish and other water creatures. People were unable to sun bath or swim at the affected beaches. Many people in the fishing industry who were unable to work volunteered to help clean up.

HOW IT RELATES TO HEALTH AND SOCIAL EDUCATION-AOI

I think it relates to Health and Social education because it impacted the lives of the creatures in the water. These animals are in their natural habitat and are not sure where to go. There are rehabilitation centers for these animals to get back to their usual lifestyle. It also impacted the lives of people who spent a countless amount of hours cleaning up the oil.

Facts OF Interest

• It was the biggest environmental disaster in U.S. history.

•To clean up the oil, they tripled the size of their environmental cleanup crew.

•The rig sank two days after the explosion.

•It is estimated that the total cost to cleanup the oil spill was 5 billion dollars.•

EXTRA PHOTOS

This picture was taken in the water to show from the perspectives of the creatures who had to swim in it.

In my opinion, I think pictures give a better sense of what is going on because you can’t always believe what you hear or read. I decided to add many photos so you can picture what it would be like to be there. I have a greater understanding from these photos so maybe you will too.

This picture was an attempt to get rid of the oil by burning the oil on fire.

Firefighters hose down the oil rig.

The oil at a beach along the Gulf of Mexico.

A dragonfly is is stuck to marsh grass covered in oil.