History of Oil Spills

What is an oil spill? How does it happen?

The largest sources are in the exploration, production and transportation stages of the oil and gas industry. These include offshore oil platforms (Gulf of Mexico), tankers (Exxon Valdez), pipelines etc…

Students in this section of the PBL would be expected to research the consequences of oil spills as well: Damages to communities and economies (fishing, tourism) & long term impact on environment and animals.


Statistics & Examples

From statistics to closer look at specific examples: Compare and Contrast two selections this will allow them to look more closely at causes, impacts, cleanup methods of spills.

1. Exxon Valdez April 1989 Alaska - pictures
The 1989 wreck of the Exxon Valdez released about 261,905 barrels.
2. Deepwater horizon Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico April 2010:
The oil rig disaster pumped roughly 5 million barrels.

Containment and Cleanup methods

Students could look at methods and lay out pros and cons of each:
• Booms u-shaped devices that are towed behind boats. Cons: burning environmental affects
Dispersants: chemicals designed to accelerate the process of natural dispersion (breakdown) of oil, chemicals left in ocean, on shore etc… affects bacteria populations, animals
Some cleanup methods after oil spills are controversial and sometimes may be worse than the original problem (oil) as was seen in the attempted clean up after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Move towards natural, reusable products:

Some scientists believe that hair, sawdust, straw, hay, sheep's wool, corn cobs, peat moss and feathers is the best. Testing to find out which natural material works best.
Pros: Reusable sorbents: rinsed and oil sent to be burned or reused in oil blending process
Cons: storage, cost, etc…
• Students in this section of PBL would present their research to classmates (presentation) because all students will need background information to fully understand what they are testing and the implications of their findings.


Sources
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Exxon_Valdez_oil_spill?topic=58075
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Oil_spill

http://inhabitat.com/bp-refuses-to-use-donated-hair-mats-to-clean-up-oil-spill/2/

http://www.tauntonareaschooltocareer.org/TASC%20website/Lesson%20Plans/Berkley/Oil%20Spill%20Clean-Up.htm

http://hubpages.com/hub/Different-Ways-to-Clean-Up-Oil-Spills

http://www.cnbc.com/id/37593652/?slide=18
http://www.itopf.com/information-services/data-and-statistics/statistics/

http://freepowerpointtemplates.us/powerpoint/category/oil-and-gas-powerpoint-templates/