What are the potential environmental impacts of oil and fuel?
The impacts of fuel and/or oil introduced into the marine environment are influenced by a variety of factors, including the physical properties of the oil, whether the oil is petroleum-based or non- petroleum-based, and the hydrodynamic properties of the receiving waters. Each type of oil has distinct physical properties that affect the way it disperses and breaks down, the hazard it may pose to ecosystems, and the likelihood that it will pose a threat to manmade resources. For example, the rate at which surface dispersion occurs will help to determine the effect of an oil spill on the environment. Most oils spread horizontally into a smooth and continuous layer, called a “slick,” on the water surface. Petroleum-based and non-petroleum-based oils can have both immediate and long-term adverse effects on the environment. These oils can be dangerous, or even deadly to wildlife. Light refined petroleum products, such as gasoline and kerosene, spread on water surfaces. The risk of fire and
