marine oil spills

Marine oil spills occur when liquid petroleum leaks from ships, oil rigs, or pipelines into the ocean. These spills can happen due to accidents, equipment failures, or illegal discharges. Oil floats on water, forming slicks that threaten marine life, birds, and coastal ecosystems. The impact includes toxicity to marine animals, damage to habitats, and economic harm to fishing and tourism industries. Response efforts involve containment booms, skimming, and chemical or biological cleanup methods. Preventing spills requires strict safety measures, monitoring, and rapid response to minimize environmental and economic damage.