| Caption: Stream polluted with crude oil. Trinidad |
|
 |
| Facts: Oil pollution of waterways can have devastating effects on aquatic vegetation and animal life. Oil contains toluene and benzene which are toxic, but these compounds evaporate quickly and do not do most of the damage. It is other compounds in crude oil - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - that are the source of most of the environmental problems. These compounds persist in the environment much longer (do not evaporate) and coat shorelines and estuaries severly impacting ecosystems by blocking light and gas exchange. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons also negatively effect sea mammals and sea birds and can kill them. Interestingly, while big oil spills make the headlines, most oil pollution comes from runoff - used engine oil, industrial and commercial waste, etc. |
|
|
| Photographer: David Nunuk |
|
|
| File Info: |
| MEDIUM RES: JPEG, 3483x5215, 4.97MB, ARGB |
|
|
|
|
| Keywords:
Stream, polluted, pollution, water pollution, crude oil, oil, industry, industrial, environment, environmental, Trinidad |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
