Environmental effects of oil spills - Essay Example ics (1997), an oil spill is “oil, discharged accidentally or intentionally, that floats on the surface of water bodies as a discrete mass and is carried by the wind, currents and tides. Oil spills can be partially controlled by chemical dispersion, combustion, mechanical containment and absorption. They have destructive effects on coastal ecosystems†(par. 1). The ecological crisis brought about by oil spills displaces a global equilibrium pattern based on the dwindling supply of marine resources. As an environmentally ethical dilemma, oil spills need to be closely evaluated and addressed to take drastic actions to restore balance and prevent further damage to the marine ecosystem. According to Oracle ThinkQuest, oil spills are actually classified into two groups: accidental and from operations (n.d., par. 1). Accidental oil spills are generally caused by collusions, fires and explosions, hull failures, and groundings (ibid.).
