Spill the Tea, Not the Oil
Spill the Tea, Not the Oil
31 July 2024 | Grade 8, Science Subject Area
On 25 July 2024, the industrial tanker MT Terra Nova overturned and sank in Manila Bay, 7 km off Limay, Bataan, Philippines. The vessel carried approximately 1.5 million liters of industrial oil.
Video Source: Rappler. (2024, July 28). Oil from capsized tanker MT Terranova reaches Bulacan [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ZUh2-pem5LQ
The motor tanker MTKR Jason Bradley capsized and sank, releasing 5500 liters of diesel oil in Mariveles, Bataan, on 27 July 2024. On the other hand, the abandoned marine vessel (MV) Mirola 1 leaked diesel oil in Mariveles, Bataan, on 31 July 2024.
The Philippine government and LGUs of the affected municipalities and cities responded to these spills spreading across Manila Bay by imposing a fishing ban near the oil spills, using hay, hair, and coconut fibers as oil adsorbents, sealing the valves leaking oil from the tankers, and siphoning the oil from the bodies of water near the area.
Crude oil contains compounds harmful to aquatic life and terrestrial organisms near bodies of water affected by oil spills. Coral reefs serve as breeding grounds for fish species in the environment.
Coral reefs would lessen the impact of sea-level rise due to storm surges and wave erosion. The health of the coral reefs can determine the “health” of the sea. Coral reefs are damaged or may even kill them when exposed to crude oil for short or long periods.
Why is there a need to exert that much effort to remove oil from Manila Bay? Will you even be affected by the oil spill? Why or why not?
References:
[1] Bosano, R. (2024, July 31). Another oil spill off the coast of Mariveles, Bataan; crew members of ship nowhere to be found. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/7/31/vessel-runs-aground-off-the-coast-of-bataan-causing-another-oil-spill-1942
[2] Flores, M., & Morales, N. J. (2024, July 26). Oil spill threatens Philippines capital after tanker capsizes. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/one-crew-missing-oil-spill-after-tanker-capsizes-off-philippines-2024-07-25/
[3] GMA Integrated News. (2024, July 29). Salvage of sunken tanker Jason Bradley off Mariveles might take 2 weeks. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/915153/salvage-of-sunken-tanker-jason-bradley-off-mariveles-might-take-2-weeks/story/
[4] Gozum, I. (2024, July 30). Oil spill to reach Metro Manila by July 30 – UP MSI. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/forecast-oil-spill-reach-metro-manila-july-30-2024/
[5] Reef Resilience Network. (n.d.). Value of Reefs | Reef Resilience. https://reefresilience.org/value-of-reefs/#:~:text=Natural%20ecosystems%20provide%20a%20number