Start Date
7-3-2024 10:30 AM
Abstract
Exposure to risks associated with the production and usage of products, particularly oil, poses significant threats to both ecological systems and human health. Notable examples include the Gulf War Oil Spill (1991) and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2010). However, numerous smaller-scale oil spills, which collectively contribute to substantial oil releases, often remain overlooked. To fill this gap, our study first developed a detailed oil spill incidents database, covering 1967 to 2023. We quantified the released amount (RA) of oil spills recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Subsequently, we utilized life cycle impact indicators in ReCiPe to evaluate the environmental impacts of these spills. Our findings reveal that approximately 6 million gallons of oil have been spilled in North America, equating to the volume of three Deepwater Horizon spills. The human toxicity of the annually spilled oil is comparable to the release of hundreds of tons of dichlorobenzene (DCB), while its ecotoxicities are equivalent to tens of thousands of tons DCB. Additionally, we observed that the global warming potential and ozone formation potential of spilled oil are highly dependent on the ratio of its light fraction in the spilled oil products.
Included in
Agricultural Economics Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Spatial Science Commons
Evaluating the Environmental Impacts of U.S. Historical Oil Spill Incidents
Exposure to risks associated with the production and usage of products, particularly oil, poses significant threats to both ecological systems and human health. Notable examples include the Gulf War Oil Spill (1991) and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2010). However, numerous smaller-scale oil spills, which collectively contribute to substantial oil releases, often remain overlooked. To fill this gap, our study first developed a detailed oil spill incidents database, covering 1967 to 2023. We quantified the released amount (RA) of oil spills recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Subsequently, we utilized life cycle impact indicators in ReCiPe to evaluate the environmental impacts of these spills. Our findings reveal that approximately 6 million gallons of oil have been spilled in North America, equating to the volume of three Deepwater Horizon spills. The human toxicity of the annually spilled oil is comparable to the release of hundreds of tons of dichlorobenzene (DCB), while its ecotoxicities are equivalent to tens of thousands of tons DCB. Additionally, we observed that the global warming potential and ozone formation potential of spilled oil are highly dependent on the ratio of its light fraction in the spilled oil products.