Should Oil Companies Be Seen as Environmental Vandals - Annotated Bibliography Example

Running Head: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY - SHOULD OIL COMPANIES BE SEEN AS ENVIRONMENTAL VANDALS? Name Course Tutor Date Aroh N, Ubong N, Eze L, Harry M, Umo-Otong C, Gobo E, 2010, ‘Oil spill incidents and pipeline vandalization in Nigeria Impact on public health and negation to attainment of Millennium development goal: the Ishiagu example’ Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 19 no. 1, pp. 70-87 The effects of the activities of oil companies are felt far and wide. While oil has revolutionized the world energy needs, the detriments to the environment have come with huge price tags especially to developing countries like Nigeria. The authors found out that oil spills in Nigeria had far-reaching effects which ranged from severe degradation of soil and water. The spillages were evident in fresh water bodies where aquatic life was wiped out completely in some areas, and, as a result food production has gone down. Health deterioration among the residents was also evident. Out of the more than 1000 spillages reported, hundreds of barrels ended up polluting heavily. Being a third world country the effects are further accelerated by poverty and attainment of MDGs is made impossible. The effects of oil exploration causes a chain of effects that in the end cause human suffering. Bernabeu A, Fernández S Bouchette F, Rey D, Arcos A, Bayona M, Albaiges J, 2013, ‘Recurrent arrival of oil to Galician coast: The final step of the Prestige deep oil spill’, Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol 250, no 251,pp. 82-90. The beaches of Nemina and O Rostro in Spain were severely affected by the ‘Prestige Oil Spill’ in 2002. The effects of that oil spill are being felt more than ten years later. The authors of this article looked at the effect of the 64000 ton oil spillage. Even after cleaning efforts were enhanced on the surface and on the coast, there was still a danger of oil that was in the wreckage, some 4km deep. After years of cleaning efforts, there was an estimated more than 1000 tons that remained unaccounted for. The authors try to look at how the oil spill has affected the region comprehensively. In the study a geographical analysis of the most affected regions was done and effects recorded. There was also a hydrocarbon study to determine the extent of the damage years later. Other methods used were analysis of environmental conditions through data collection and processing The relevance of this article to the topic is that it shows the extensive effects of oil spills on the environment. The effects are long lasting and are felt for long periods after they happen. Efe S, Okpali A, 2012, ‘Management of Petroleum Impacted Soil with Phytoremediation and Soil Amendments in Ekpan Delta State, Nigeria’, Journal of Environmental Protection, issue 3, pp 386-393. The effects of the oil industries have also been felt by oil producing and consuming countries in Africa. The authors of this article evaluate the effect of phytoremediation in managing oil contaminated soils of Ekpan, in the Delta state of Nigeria. The study involve treating oil affected soils wit carpet grass Axonopus compressus and nutsedge Cyperus rotundus in an effort to reduce the levels of haydreocarbornss. The study showed that the chemical reduced the levels of hydrocarbons by up to 60%. The methodology applied was a scientific one where laboratory tests were carried out for a period of three months. The study showed that oil contaminated soils can be successfully rehabilitated Oil companies operating in the Niger delta region have left huge chunks of land heavily intoxicated in oil. It is crucial that such effects left by companies can be reversed for environmental protection and rehabilitation. Fattal P, Maanan M, Tillier I, Rollo N, Robin M, and. Pottier P, 2010, ‘Coastal Vulnerability to Oil Spill Pollution: the Case of Noirmoutier Island (France)’, Journal of Coastal Research vol 26, no 5, pp ,879-887 In this article, the author reports about the effects of oils spills caused by oil companies especially along the coasts. These spills have affected marine life and surrounding environments as well. In this article, the authors incorporate global vulnerability as a result of oil spills both environmentally and socioeconomically. They go deeper by including socioeconomic effects which have been overshadowed by previous researches by the environmental issue. The article critically looks at the variables that can be used to identify and asses the vulnerability of coastal regions to oil spills. Through studying literature reviews from different studies, the authors try to determine parameters that have been studied before and those that have not. To assess the vulnerability of coastal regions to oil spills, the authors use a case study of the Noirmoutier Island in France. For further emphasis on the topic, literature reviews on various areas across the world have also been used by the authors. The representative area is 19km long with a shoreline of 60km. A long period of time was dedicated to study methodology in data collection and manipulation. In this study environmental and social economic vulnerability were the main areas of concern The article contributes to the topic by affirming that oil spills which large oil companies are responsible for are major causes of environmental degradation. It enumerates environmental effects and further analyses socioeconomic ones. Kamal M, Kieran J, Eric Kong, 2012,’The Quantity and Quality of Environmental Disclosure in Annual Reports of National Oil and Gas Companies in Middle East and North Africa’, International Journal of Economics and Finance, vol 4, no. 10, pp. 201-217 In this study, the authors seek to evaluate the extent to which oil companies in the Middle East and North Africa disclose in terms of quality and quantity in regard to the environment. The results indicate huge differences and the authors concluded that disclosure regarding the environment in these counties to be low. The environmental reporting regarding their activities is low compared to other industries. The reporting is also inconclusive and lacks crucial details. During the study, a total of 174 reports were studied and this related to 58 oil companies. This study was carried out within period of three years. The authors found that disclosure increased in every consecutive year as a result of pressure from lobby groups and the international community. The environmental effects caused by oil companies are evident and disclosure is crucial. These companies are aware of the environmental and financial implications and hence the laxity in providing full information. Patrick D, Lora A, 2010, ‘Effects of sheens associated with offshore oil and gas development on the feather microstructure of pelagic seabirds’ Marine Pollution Bulletin vol 60, pp. 72–678 Authors Patrick O’Hara and Lora Morandin look at the effects of sheens which are used by oil companies in oil and gas exploration. Their focus is concentrated on the effects on the feather microstructure of pelagic bird. The authors find out that exposure to theses sheen resulted in a transfer of measurable amounts to birds’ feathers. There were considerable effects on pelagic bird including their life span from activities of oil companies In the study, feathers from common North Atlantic birds were collected and subjected to lab scientific studies. Oil companies pose huge environmental risks to pelagic birds and marine life at large. Rafeah W, Luqman C, Thomas S, Zainab N, Mohsen N,2013, ‘Oil removal from aqueous state by natural fibrous sorbent: An overview’, Separation and Purification Technology, vol 113, pp, 51-63. The authors of this article report on their analysis on purification of waters contaminated by oil spills. The study of different ways of purifying oil contaminated water has become a necessity as exploration, expansion and growth of the industry continues. Though there are several ways of cleaning oily water, the authors focus their study on adsorption and coalescence filtration methods. They focus on its effectiveness, simplicity and feasibility when appropriate sorbents are used for this purpose. The study found out that the use of natural sorbents in cleaning oily waters was necessitated by environmental concerns. They were found to be easy to find, effective, environmental friendly, natural and feasible alternatives In the study reviews from previous studies as well as well as scientifically supported arguments have been used by the authors. Comprehensive research into these methods have been explained in depth in support of this natural ways of cleaning oily waters. The demand for oil in the world is ever rising and this can only create higher chances of involved companies to cause oil spills. It is, therefore, critical that concurrent studies be carried out to ensure that they are properly dealt with when they occur Read More