NOW THIS IS UNUSUAL - OIL PRODUCTION REDUCES POLLUTION!

Researchers at the Marine Science Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) study the seep fields. During a conversation with SOS Co-Founder Lad Handelman, Dr. Bruce Luyendyk, professor and Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences, estimated the amount of oil being released from seeps located south of Point Conception as at least 10,000 gallons each day.

Now this is really unusual - Dr. Luyendyk confirmed that there is a significant decrease in seep release and pressure as a result of the ongoing oil extraction from the very formations that feed the pollution off Coal Oil Point.

 

So the Santa Barbara Channel is leaking oil – the seeps have been called “an environmental disaster happening in slow motion.” Pretty unusual.

 

Another way this area is unusual - the Santa Barbara Channel is unusually rich in natural resources – resources that can be impacted by oil pollution. It is the only place in the world that serves as feeding and/or breeding grounds to 27 species of marine mammals. Recent studies have focused on the behavioral, thermal, and physiological impacts on marine mammals from contact, inhalation, and ingestion of oil.

Oil can be especially harmful to our resident and migrating seabirds—particularly diving birds that must get their nourishment by entering the water.  Oil destroys the insulation and waterproofing properties of their feathers - this can cause hypothermia. Also, birds that are unable to fly because of oil-matted feathers become easy prey. A review of recent data from the International Bird Rescue Research Center(IBRRC) and the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) shows that, offshore between Ventura and San Luis Obispo, it’s likely there are approximately 600-800 birds per year (or more) that become oiled due to seeps.  An unknown number of those (perhaps 50-80%) die from hypothermia.

Seeps pollute the air as well, by releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. To put it in perspective, seeps contribute much more hydrocarbon pollution than all Santa Barbara surface mobile vehicles e.g. cars, trucks, trains and planes (Air Pollution Control District Clean Air Inventory, 2007).

 

Let's discuss - are there other ways to reduce pollution while gaining energy?