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How could we make the transport of oil safer?

The waters around the UK are among the busiest in the world with an estimated 5,000 ships operating in the North Sea at any one time. Shipping is an environmentally friendly mode of transport, and is only responsible for a small proportion of marine, or sea, pollution. It is estimated, however, around 400,000 tonnes of oil accidentally spilled each year from tankers worldwide with 30,000 tonnes of oil illegally discharged into the North Sea every year. These spillages can have a drastic effect on marine ecosystems and areas of outstanding natural beauty.

THE PURPOSE OF THE ENQUIRY

Today, you are going to find out how the transport of oil around the world can affect the marine environment. By following the little questions and web links, you will be able to complete the task that you are about to read. Good luck!

YOUR BRIEF

You must imagine that you work for a private detective agency. You specialise in finding out about the environment for people who want to save our surroundings for the future. The job that you have been given this time is a very special one. You are proud to have accepted it.

One of the UK's top music bands has asked you to find out about oil spills into the world's oceans. The band wants to raise awareness of these issues when it releases its new CD, 'Safe in our Hands?' later this year. The band feels that, in particular, children should really understand the possible problems involved in oil transport. The band are from South Wales and can easily remember the damage caused when the Sea Empress oil tanker ran aground in Milford Haven when they were younger. They feel very strongly about the whole issue.

The band want you to find out some background information about oils spills, and then find out more specific detail about the Sea Empress oil spill. They will pay you well for your work, and you may even get tickets for their next UK concert tour!

 

LITTLE QUESTIONS WITH WEBLINKS

How is oil transported around the world?

What problems can this cause to animals, fish and birds?

Is it safe to transport oil by sea?

http://www.soton.ac.uk/~engenvir/environment/water/oil.slicks.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/oilspillinfo.shtml

http://www.foe.co.uk/

Next, you must research into the Sea Empress oil spill in more detail. You will need to know exactly what happened, as well as where and why. You must find a location map for this section.

For this part of your task, you must produce a cut-and-paste Internet fact sheet. It should be on one side of A4 and include words, images and a map. If you need help to do this, ask your teacher - but don't panic, it's quite simple!

What happened to the Sea Empress?

What was the impact of the accident?

How did the accident harm the marine environment?

http://www.kirkby-stephen.com/school/links/pollution.htm

http://www.swan.ac.uk/empress/oil/oil.htm

 

TASK EXTRA

Finally, you have been invited, if you have time, to put forward your own design for the band's next CD cover. They want the design to incorporate some of the things that you have found out. If you do a good job, they may well use you again or tell others about your good work! Try and be creative about this piece of work, it may be an idea to do some research into CD covers, so that you get the size and quality correct!

Good luck