Abstract This paper investigates the the OilPollution Act of 1990 which requires double hull tanker ships. It specifically examines whether double-hull tankers are the right measure to prevent pollution at sea. the paper looks at the history of oil spills with and without double hull tankers and discusses whether they can prevent or even contain oil spills. The paper contains graphs.
Table of Contents:
Literature review
Introduction
Views about double skin tankers
Oil spill preview
What is the impact of OPA90
Cost benefit analysis
Conclusion
Appendix
From the Paper "Risk reduction cannot be certain in oil spills, but there are some alternatives that would clearly lessen the probability of a spill from occurring. Designs have been drawn up to modify the hulls of tankers. Some of these modifications will increase the costs in the construction, as well as the energy to move tankers. The extra costs in fuel to move a tanker can be costly with the added weight of the extra hulls and the new designs being implemented to meet OPA90 standards. The critical thing that many companies are facing when making this decision on a hull, is whether these increased costs will effectively reduce the risks, monetary costs, and potential negative public image that is associated with an oil spill."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of Flags of Convenience as they pertain to maritime oilpollution. The writer explores UN and MARPOL mandates and discusses the Flags of Convenience. The writer then ties them into maritime oilpollution and presents recommendations for how this might be solved.
From the Paper "As the world populations continues to grow and live longer than ever before it has become apparent that natural resources must be guarded with the utmost care and protection. It is those natural resources allow mankind to survive therefore their preservation is paramount to the success of the future. One of the biggest threats to the eco-system today is the threat of oil pollution. Through spills, dumping and other accidents the oil pollution in the world has threatened significant areas of the eco-system that are depended on. In recent decades there have been measurements taken to prevent oil pollution from destroying the eco system, and many of the mandates in place are indeed strong statements of protection, however, with the advent of "flags of convenience" states those mandates have lost their clout and power, therby rendering them ineffective. Even MARPOL and the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas have been disabled by the FOC provisions."
Abstract This paper examines how the problem of international liability and compensation for pollution caused by oil spills is specifically addressed by the 1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for OilPollution Damage and the 1971 International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for OilPollution Damage. It also looks at how the issue of pollution is also the object of other international treaties and conventions, such as the MARPOL 73/78 Convention, Intervention Convention, the London Convention, and others.
From the Paper "The experience of the IOPC Funds when it comes to analysis of the criteria laid down for the admissibility of compensation, is quite considerable. Settlement of claims founds itself on the definition of "pollution damage", which has is "damage caused by contamination". The examination of the criteria for the admissibility of claims for compensation, under the 1969 Civil Liability Convention, the 1971 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Protocols, was thoroughly performed in 1994 by a working group of the 1971 Fund. This examination was concluded by a Report, which now forms the basis for the 1992 Fund's policy on the criteria for admissibility of claims. The Report was endorsed by the Assembly of the 1971 Fund and was adopted by way of a Resolution by the Assembly of the 1992 Fund. "
Abstract This paper examines the impact of underwater fossil fuel extraction and transportation on ocean life. It looks at how several accidents have happened during the ocean transportation of fossil fuels, polluting the surrounding ocean waters ,and killing marine life, and how offshore fossil fuel extraction may also lead to oil spills, polluting the surrounding environment. The paper examines the effect of oilpollution on ocean life from these two perspectives and argues that the environment cannot survive these accidents for long. Solutions are proposed, such as stricter controls on the specification of the ships used to transport fossil fuels and, maybe, the prohibiting of offshore drilling of fossil fuels.
From the Paper "In order to understand the effects of oil pollution in the ocean life and the difficulties in identifying the invisible pollution, the difference between the short term and the long term effects of pollution should be taken into consideration. The short term pollution is the effect of the obvious pollution on the marine environment. One of the most significant examples of the short term pollution is the accident of Exxon Valdez. As Robert H day Et Al biologists say, on the 24th march 1989, the oil transportation tanker Exxon Valdez crashes the Prince William sound area in Alaska and within hours an incredible amount of oil had spilled into the marine environment."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses marine pollution. According to the paper, the ocean plays a critical role in sustaining life on this planet. The paper discusses how economic and social prosperity will be useless if the coastal and marine environments are sacrificed, abused or neglected in the process of development. The paper goes on to discuss the serious environmental issues pertaining to marine pollution facing us today.
From the Paper "The accidental wreck of a 20-tanker, 987-foot ship of Exxon Valdez in Bligh Reef led to the rupturing of eight of its 11 cargo tanks and the spilling of 10.8 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound in March 1989 (US Congress 1960). Although no lives were lost, the accident was an immense disaster to fisheries, subsistence livelihoods, tourism and wildlife. Most important was the awareness that the sanctity of the Alaskan waters was most outrageously ravaged. In response, US Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which established measures in preparing for and preventing spills for the implementation and enforcement of the US Coast Guard. It requires transporters of oil and production facilities to develop and implement response plans, participate in preparedness drills and maintain safe shipping and handling practices (Earle 1995). MARPOL began to control the operations and passage of new oil tankers, the carrying of noxious liquids in bulk, the control of sewage and other "grey water" and garbage, including plastics, metal, glass, galley wastes and other materials (Earle, US Congress)."
Abstract This paper proposes a study of some of the most significant long-term and short-term effects of air-pollution that were produced as a direct result of the Gulf War. According to the paper, this pollution was caused by the burning of Kuwaiti oil fields. The paper explains the ways in which warfare is involved in environmental destruction including an analysis of air pollution during the war and the effect of air pollution of those people who were most directly exposed to it, including American soldiers and personnel who have been diagnosed with what is now generally referred to as Gulf War Syndrome.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Scope and Background of Problem
3. Proposed Project
4. Analysis and Results
5. Conclusions and Recommendations
From the paper:
"This proposal looks at three specific consequences of air pollution during the Gulf War, or rather at three sets of phenomena that are considered by many people to be consequences of air pollution during the war: The cluster of symptoms experienced by American soldiers and personnel called Gulf War Syndrome; any civilians in the war zone that are also suffering from similar syndromes; and the any similar effect on other mammals (i.e. wildlife) that were also exposed to the air pollution during the war."
Tags: Middle, East, oil, environment, health, war, pollution
Abstract This paper studies the causes and effects of pollution in the world's oceans. The paper lists the causes of this pollution, including oil spills, tanker discharges, untreated municipal wastes and agrochemical residues. In addition to these major causes, the paper also includes a look at the smaller ,yet more common causes, such as medical wastes, beach visitors? garbage and waterfront businesses.
From the Paper "An ocean organism's internal environment is highly influenced by many external factors. Many marine invertebrates are conformers and have the ability to thrive around the world. They have no need to control their internal environment since the external environment is fairly constant in terms of temperature, oxygen tension, and nutrients. However, with the threat of pollution, the marine invertebrates ability to live within the dirtied and toxic waters are compromised, therefore, resulting in fewer numbers for reproduction, production and harvest."
Abstract Oil has been an important part of the Nigerian economy since vast reserves of petroleum were discovered in the 1950s. In 1997, Nigeria earned over 95 percent of its foreign exchange from the sale of oil on the global market. Foreign oil companies dominated oil exploration, drilling and shipping in Nigeria, with Shell Oil controlling approximately 60 percent of the country's domestic oil market. This paper examines the huge environmental damage in Nigeria caused by oil spills, gas-flaring and oil waste dumping. The paper looks at the destruction to the biodiversity of the affected regions, loss of wildlife and soil fertility and health problems. It looks, in particular, at the problems which affect the Ogoni people of the Delta region and the compensation Shell was forced to pay. Finally, the paper discusses the future of Nigeria's oil industry and Shell's promise to improve environmental concerns in the region.
From the Paper "Critics note that such low-tech security operations can surely be significantly improved, especially when hundreds of millions of dollars are spent in developing technologies to discover oil under the ground. There are many oil pipeline surveillance technologies currently on the market, including a host of fiber optic sensors that detect stress in the pipelines and drilling equipment through subtle shifts in the optic wavelength. Researches at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio have developed harmonic sensors that can be placed inside of pipes via the flow of oil and then attach themselves to the interior to measure outside force. And over the last two years, ChevronTexaco has invested tens of millions of dollars in startup companies that design pipeline sensor networks (ibid)."
Abstract This paper examines water pollution, the adverse effects of added materials to a body of water and the effect it has on the environment. It analyzes how the impact of water pollution can be observed altering all living things in the world, most notably human life and how certain measures can be taken to prevent further destruction and reverse damage already done. It outlines the main causes of water pollution such as petroleum contaminants and natural sediment and looks at the dangers posed to humans by certain main pollutants.
From the Paper "There are two main ways in which water can be polluted: point sources and non-point sources. Points sources of water pollution occur when harmful materials are disposed of directly into a body of water. Non-point sources of water pollution occur when harmful substances are indirectly disposed of into a body of water (MacMillan, 1982). Examples of non-point sources are septic fields leaking into waterways, or pesticides from a crop being carried into a waterway with precipitation (MacMillan, 1982). Non-point sources are much more difficult to monitor and control than point sources. There are many types of contaminants that pollute waterways. For the most part, water pollution is made up of organic matter (eroded soil, branches, grass clippings, farming waste)(Britannica, 2001). "
Abstract This paper looks at every aspect of the oil industry in the Persian Gulf, using United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the specific case study to examine the affects of oil production and its transportation on the environment in the UAE.
The Table of Contents:
Introduction
Nature of Drilling in the United Arab Emirates
The Political and Social Organization of the United Arab Emirates
History of the UAE as a Nation-State
The Geography of the Persian Gulf as a Whole
Temperature, Climate, and Topography of the Land
The Ecological History of the Persian Gulf
Pollution Related to Oil Production and Transportation
Strategies for Improvement
Steps Being Taken
Steps to Take
Conclusions
From the Paper "This does not mean that accidents are not of any concern of the UAE. There is a recognition significant future potential for oil-related accidents. The danger from oil spills is a worldwide problem and the Gulf presents a uniquely challenging environmental situation. There is a high level of traffic through the waters of the UAE by oil tankers and other shipping rigs. Since the Gulf War of 1991, the waters of the UAE have suffered from a number of significant oil spills within the country's recent historical, collective memory. Most of these spills were accidental but the intentional release of Kuwaiti oil by the Iraqis at the end of the War raised serious concerns within the borders of the UAE as to the potential for spilling oil as a war-related tactic. This act gained the attention of all of the Gulf States, convincing them that they should take immediate steps to prevent damage from oil spills in the future. In this case, the political instability of the region acted as a "wake up" call to all of the Gulf nations. (Zeitoun and Goudsouzian, 2001: 150) The most recent spill occurred when an Iraqi tanker called the Zainab, a container ship smuggling Iraqi crude, sank in April of 2001. It was carrying over one million gallons of Iraqi fuel and 300 tons of fuel oil when it sank off the port of Jebel Ali, south of Dubai. (Zeitoun and Goudsouzian, 2001: 150) The spill spread oil along the Sharjah, Dubai, and Ajam coast. Beaches were fouled, and local Ajmani authorities closed the emirate's main desalination water plant as a precaution against pollution. This caused significant water shortages. (Zeitoun and Goudsouzian, 2001: 150; "Gulf Tanker Spill Under Control": MSNBC.COM)"
This paper examines the ongoing debate between those who support the oil industry and those who wish to protect the Alaskan coastal plains from being drilled in search of oil.
Abstract This paper summarizes the argument against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on the basis of damage that would be caused to the environment and the wildlife inhabiting the region. The topic is connected to the events of September 11th which nearly allowed the Republicans to push through an emergency Energy Security Bill, allowing for the extraction of oil from the ANWR.
From the Paper "In the past 10 months many people have claimed that the world as we knew it a year ago has been profoundly and irreversibly transformed with the events of September 11th, 2001. Others have attacked these claims as being yet another example of American ethnocentrism and egocentricity: the world has not changed, the USA simply got a taste of reality. However, whether the United States was living in a sheltered state of denial in which true poverty, destruction and war never found a home on its shores, or whether the world truly has changed entirely, is a subject for a different debate and a different paper."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the problem of ocean pollution, and how it is affecting marine life. It also looks at what is being done to control pollution in the United States and around the world. The paper shows that, as the world become more industrialized, the pollution in the ocean is becoming more of a problem.
From the Paper "There are numerous pollutants contaminating the world's oceans ? they have been building up for hundreds of years, and they are both man-made and natural, although man-made pollutants are much more common than natural pollutants. Over 900,000 gallons of oil spills into the oceans every year, either from leaking tankers, oil spills, or leaks from oil dredging machinery. "In 1997, the 22 oil spills reported worldwide involved a total of 15 million gallons (57 million liters) of oil" ("Water Pollution")."
Abstract The following paper explores various types of pollution in the ocean. Pollution from oil spills, run-offs that result in toxic wastes in the ocean and the dumping of foreign particles in the ocean are discussed.
Abstract This paper focuses on key elements of ocean pollution: Oilpollution, toxic materials, dangerous debris and deposits and withdrawals. The author gives an overview of the efforts underway to prevent further pollution of the world's oceans.
Abstract This paper begins by describing the current situation of marine ecosystems around the world and looking at the damage they suffer as a result of pollution. The paper explains that marine ecosystems are being altered because of oil spills and other human-mediated activities and then takes a look at the effects of this pollution.
