A Corrupted Environment in the California Oil Spill
About 25,000 gallons of oil were spilled on October 1st. What are the consequences of the spill, and how are locals reacting?
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Cleanup efforts attempt to clear oil that has washed up onto the shoreline in Huntington Beach (Credit: KCRW)
By Rylan Chiu
Published 11/7/2021
If you are thinking about taking a vacation soon, you might want to avoid going to the beach. An oil spill off the coast of Orange County occurred on October 4th, devastating numerous beaches such as Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. An estimated 126,000 gallons of oil spilled into the ocean water, which the OC Register compares to “⅕ an Olympic pool” and “690 years of drinking water.”
The oil spill was reportedly caused by a broken pipeline from an offshore oil platform named Elly. According to the Los Angeles Times, Elly is 8.6 miles off the coast of Orange County and is one of three platforms operated by the Beta Operating Company. The article states that Elly “processes oil production from Ellen and Eureka.” All three platforms are located off the shore of south Long Beach.
Both land and marine animals were harmed by the spill. Oil contains chemicals that create an unhealthy and potentially deadly environment for fish and marine plants to live in. Birds around the area were also impacted by the spill. Birds are coated in oil when trying to catch fish for food, or when landing on the shore where oil has spread. A Vox article presented a study explaining how a small coating of oil on a bird can “delay the birds’ roughly 3,700-mile migration by as much as 45 days.”
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A sanderling covered in oil from Huntington Beach recovered and being examined (Credit: CNN)
Unfortunately, major oil spillage in the ocean is common, as 44 oil spills with
over 420,000 gallons of oil each have occurred in the United States since 1969, according to the Office of Response and Restoration. Furthermore, harm to ocean water goes beyond oil spills, as littering of plastics and recyclables can also pollute the water. However, different methods can be used to spread awareness of oil spills and water pollution in general.
As an individual, there are many things you can do to help make change. Petitions are the easiest way to contribute. Signing petitions, such as a Change.org petition to abolish offshore drilling, spreads awareness and outlines the importance and severity of the situation.
Donations can help initiate environmental projects. Organizations such as 4ocean sell eco-friendly products in order to help fund their worldwide ocean cleanups.
Volunteering in ocean cleanups is the most hands-on contribution. Numerous organizations create applications for volunteers willing to help clean oceans and rivers, such as The Ocean Cleanup.
Oil spills are extremely dangerous, as they can damage or kill many living ecosystems and organisms in the water. Hopefully, if more awareness spreads about these dire threats to our oceans, then incidents like oil spills could be prevented in the near future.