The Cons of Oil Drilling on the Environment
Oil, also called petroleum, refers to a yellow-black liquid used to produce gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, propane and other fuels. Oil is found underground, so engineers must drill into the ground to collect oil. Engineers drill on land and in the ocean to collect oil. Drilling in the ocean floor is called offshore drilling. Although oil provides an important energy source, drilling for oil has negative environmental effects.
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Reducing Plant Diversity
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Oil drilling requires the removal of vegetation and topsoil, both for the actual oil wells and for the necessary roads and pipelines. This reduces plant diversity and makes the location more susceptible to erosion and invasive weeds. Dust that settles on plants may also prevent photosynthesis or reproduction, causing further ecological damage.
Reducing Air Quality
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Machines used to clear a site and drill for oil create dust and harmful emissions, including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. These emissions reduce air quality, harm plants and animals and sometimes cause an odor. Dust production makes vegetation less appealing to animals and may increase incidents of dust pneumonia, a type of lung infection.
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Disturbing Wildlife Habitats
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Drilling for oil on land and in the ocean disturbs native wildlife. Wildlife may be disturbed by air or water pollutants, lack of available plants, excessive dust, increase in noise levels or the removal of animal habitats.
Oil Spills
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Drilling for oil off shore sometimes causes oil spills, such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the worst in American history. Oil spills pollute the ocean, killing marine wildlife and vegetation. Spills and pollution can also be caused by ship accidents and improper handling of oil on land, such as improper disposal of used motor vehicle oil.
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