Aquatic Pollution and Coastal Zone Managememnt (2+1)

Unit 6 : Oil pollution

6.2.Sources- Inputs of Oil Pollution
Petroleum hydrocarbons reach the sea by many routes. It is estimated that on an average 2.5 million tonnes of oil reaches the sea per year. Of the total oil entering the sea 17% is from natural sources, while the remaining 84% is due to direct or indirect anthropogenic activities.

Sources:

• I. Transportation:
• Tanker operations - 22%
• Tanker accidents - 12.5%
• Bilge and fuel
• Non tanker accidents - 12.5%
• Dry docking

• II. Fixed Installations:
• Coastal refineries - 3%
• Offshore oil production - 1.5%
• Marine terminals

• III. Other Sources:
• Municipal and industrial waste water (river & urban runoff) 31%
• Atmosphere fall out 10%
• Ocean dumping
• Natural sewage 8%