Effect, Impact and Causes of Oil Spills on Marine Organisms

Abstract

Oil spills remain one of the most disruptive forms of marine pollution, posing severe risks to aquatic ecosystems, human health, and coastal economies. The reviewed literature highlights that oil spills arise from tanker accidents, drilling rig blowouts, operational discharges, and pipeline failures, with human error being the predominant cause. Upon release, crude oil undergoes complex physical and chemical transformations, influencing its dispersion, toxicity, and persistence. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the most harmful oil components due to carcinogenicity, hydrophobicity, and bioaccumulation. Oil contamination affects diverse taxa: early fish and zooplankton stages suffer deformities and mortality; marine mammals and birds experience respiratory damage, hypothermia, and reproductive disruption; benthic and filter-feeding invertebrates accumulate toxins, impairing growth and immunity. This review also evaluates remediation strategies such as mechanical containment, chemical dispersants, in-situ burning, sorbent materials, and bioremediation. Recent advancements emphasize polymer-based sorbents, autonomous monitoring systems, and microbe-driven degradation. However, the effectiveness of mitigation varies with oil type, environmental conditions, and ecosystem vulnerability. Overall, this paper underscores the urgent need for integrated, sustainable, and technology-driven approaches that minimize ecological damage and support long-term recovery of marine habitats.