A BLACK SLICK

Energy
In order to transform materials into the many producers that people in the developed world have come to depend upon, industry requires energy. Almost ever product and devices in our homes and lives, from automobiles to furniture to fabrics, is shaped and constructed through the expenditure of energy, and most often the source of that energy is oil.


Transporting Oil
Oil has to be transported from pumping sites to industrial areas, however far apart they may be. The third of the earth’s oil travels the sea lanes of the world by ship. When an accident occurs, oil spills into the sea, causing an oil slick, which can spread out over a wide area.


Ecological Consequences
The oil slick prevents the light from penetrating the sea, which in turns prevents the plankton from developing and damages the food chain. Furthermore, oil is toxic and kills sea life.

The tar from the oil can slowly sink to the bottom of the sea, preventing the marine current from transporting mineral substances from the depths to the sea surface. Finally, we must not forget about the damage to beaches and coastal areas, as well as the threat to fish and birds.

A Black Slick (Click on the picture to view large)

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