Question

______ is the popularly used term for accidental discharge of liquid petroleum in oceans and estuaries.

• A. Leakage of oil
• B. Oil spill
• C. Oil release
• D. Petroleum pollution

Answer 1

The correct option is B Oil spill

Oil spill is the popularly used term for the accidental discharge of liquid petroleum into water bodies such as oceans and estuaries. Oil spills generally occur as a result of accidents involving tankers, barges, pipelines, refineries, drilling rigs, etc.

Oil spills are associated with the leakage of petroleum, release of products such as crude oil, etc into the water bodies. This leads to the pollution of the water bodies due to the addition of petroleum products.

Figure: Oil spill

Oil spills from oil drilling and shipwrecks can harm sea creatures, ruin the beach, hinder oxygen dissolution in water and make seafood unsafe to eat.

The insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals (sea otters), and the water repellency of feathers in birds is destroyed by oil.

Figure: Effect of oil spill on bird