BP’s Oil Spill: An Unprecedented Devastation

July 19, 2010 by Renfrewshire Environmental Trust

BP’s oil spill took place on 20th of April, 2010 at Gulf of Mexico due to the explosion of deepwater horizon drilling rig, taking 11 lives of plat form workers and injuring many others. It has altered surrounding eco system, damaging aquatic life and most importantly causing great devastation to the local region and population. The impact the oil spill is so disastrous that, it will continue to grow causing even more catastrophic effects. This incident is now considered as worst oil spill in US history till date, which surpasses Exxon Valdez tanker tragedy twenty years ago.( www.huffingtonpost.com)

Even though the exact cause of the incident is still unclear, there is a suspicion that, build up of pressure in the ultra deepwater has caused the explosion.BP is trying to tackle the problem in number of ways. It has showered the sea with 76,000 tons of dispersant to break up the oil, boats are being used to skim the thick oil suspends.As a safety measure, Bp has set up barriers stretching several miles along the coastal shore. Under the surface, six robots are still trying to close the valve that was meant to prevent explosions. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/7677217/Gulf-of-Mexico-oil-spill-a-QandA.html.

More effective steps should be taken to stop the oil spill as its hampering the lives of aquatic and bird population, causing trouble to local fisherman and agriculture and most importantly its disturbing mother nature.