OIL SPILL ON A PRISTINE LAND

NZ'S WORST ENVIRONMENTAL MARITIME DISASTER

OIL SPILL ON A PRISTINE LAND

This October, New Zealand experienced worst oil spill disaster in decades.

A Cargo ship carrying 1,700 tonnes oil hit the reef and went stranded. Even a small amount of oil can affect wildlife if it comes ashore in the wrong place. The spillage caused solid waste and liquid waste on the clean beaches of NZ, leaving it to a heartbreaking sight. 

A number of volunteers stepped forward to help clean up the coast. hey used buckets and all sorts of things to clear the mess. 

The initial impact from an oil spill can vary from minimal impact to large scale mortality within a particular biological community.

Spilled oil poses serious threats to fresh water and marine environments, affecting surface resources and a wide range of subsurface species that are linked in a complex food chain that includes human food resources. The toxicity of oil itself can poison the exposed organisms.

Recovery times following spills can vary from a few days to decades; depending on the type of environment and the size and type of the spill and conditions at the time.