Subject: Environment & Ecology

Answer

Oil pollution occurs when crude oil or refined petroleum products are released into marine environments through spills, leaks, or deliberate discharge from ships, offshore platforms, and land-based sources. The 2022 Motor Tanker Parth incident off Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, highlights the persistent threat of oil pollution in Indian waters.

Impacts on Marine Ecosystem

Physical Effects:

• Formation of oil slicks that block sunlight penetration affecting photosynthetic marine organisms.
• Coating of marine animals' bodies leading to hypothermia in sea birds and mammals.
• Destruction of marine habitat and breeding grounds.

Biological Effects:

• Toxic compounds in oil cause immediate mortality of marine life.
• Long-term effects on reproduction and growth of marine species.
• Disruption of entire food chains affecting ecosystem balance.

Chemical Effects:

• Depletion of dissolved oxygen levels in water.
• Changes in water chemistry affecting marine organisms' survival.
• Persistent organic pollutants accumulating in marine food webs.

Particular Concerns for India

Economic Impact:

• Devastating effects on coastal fishing communities' livelihoods.
• High cleanup costs as evidenced by the ₹73.68 crore penalty in the 2024 Ennore oil spill.
• Impact on coastal tourism and marine-based industries.

Environmental Vulnerability:

• India's extensive coastline (7,500+ km) increases exposure to oil pollution.
• Threat to unique marine ecosystems like Sundarbans and coral reefs.
• Risk to endangered marine species and biodiversity hotspots.

Management Challenges:

• Limited resources for implementing the National Oil Spill-Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP).
• Need for better coordination between multiple stakeholders.
• Challenges in monitoring vast maritime zones effectively.

Oil pollution presents a significant threat to India's marine ecosystem and coastal economy. The implementation of robust preventive measures through the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and strengthening of the NOS-DCP framework is crucial for protecting our marine resources and coastal communities from devastating oil spills.