Do oil spills contribute to global warming?
By Lisa Freedland
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NO
Oil spills do not directly contribute to global warming, although they do harm other aspects of the environment, contaminating ecosystems and endangering life forms.
When oil spills occur, the oil does not mix with the water. Instead, it creates a thin layer on the surface, called a “slick” or a “sheen” after the layer expands. Once the sheen breaks down, some of the oil will sink into the ocean. Marine life may ingest the oil, leading to sickness, death or the inability to reproduce.
Oil spills in open water can also have disastrous impacts on coastal areas. Besides the visible impact of covering wildlife in oil, habitats are harmed by contact with the thick oil slicks.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: How oil harms animals and plants in marine environments
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