Oil Extraction

May 22, 2022

Written by: Caroline Kim

Oil extraction is crucial to contemporary society- mainly that it fuels vehicles such cars, trucks, and buses. However, the environmental impacts of oil extraction aren’t so eco-friendly. The burning of gasses contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, and because it is a non-renewable source, it will eventually run out (National Geographic Society). Oil often collects in certain reservoirs beneath the earth’s surface, and scientists implement the use of “seismic reflection” to find these pockets (National Geographic Society). While new technology has proven useful, they still have unwanted consequences. It has been shown that seismic waves cause disruption not only to marine life but also to terrestrial life- in extreme cases resulting in death (Griffin). Furthermore, a method of drilling is often used for oil extraction, but the practice puts the environment at high risk: “…Oil spills have a devastating effect on the environment, ruining habitats and killing the organisms that live there by sticking to them, destroying their food sources and poisoning them” (Griffin). In fact, drilling in locations such as Alaska have had significant ramifications in which pollutants that are released such as methane and nitrogen oxides pose a threat of forming acid rain (Devaney). As oil extraction poses a variety of threats to the environment and those living in it, new, environmentally conscious methods should be formed.

Sources:

Andreas. “30 Major Pros & Cons of Oil Energy.” E&C, 9 Dec. 2021, https://environmental- conscience.com/oil-pros-cons/.

National Geographic Society. “Petroleum.” National Geographic Society, 14 Jan. 2013, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/petroleum/#:~:text=On%20land%2C%20oil%20can%20be,drilled%20from%20an%20oil%20platform.&text=Most%20modern%20wells%20use%20an,engines%20power%20a%20drill%20bit.

Griffin, Lauren. “Environmental Impacts of Oil Extraction.” Sciencing, 2 Mar. 2019, https://sciencing.com/list-7459738-environmental-impacts-oil-extraction.html.

Devaney, Eric. “What Effects Does Oil Drilling Have on the Ocean?” Sciencing, 2 Mar. 2019, https://sciencing.com/effects-oil-drilling-ocean-16160.html.