Oil spill was triggered by storm damaged oil tankers near Kerch Strait which released thousands of tons of heavy fuel oil, known as mazut, into the sea. 

Oil Pollution

• Oil pollution includes the accidental or deliberate, operational spills of oil from ships, especially tankers, offshore platforms and pipelines. 
• Oil discharges to marine environment may also occur from natural seeps, and land-based sources such as untreated sewage and storm water, rivers, coastal refineries, oil storage facilities etc.
• Oil floats on saltwater and spreads out rapidly across the water surface to form a thin layer called oil slick.

Impact of Oil Pollution

• Environmental Impacts:
  • Threat to Biodiversity: Marine mammals, Fishes, Turtles, Seabirds face threats like poisoning, hypothermia, drowning, damaged airways, loss of insulating ability etc. 
  • Impact Coastal and Marine Habitats: Coral reefs risk smothering and toxicity; mangroves, marshes, and seagrasses suffer damage or death.
• Socio Economic Impacts: 
  • Fisheries Sectors: Polluted Fisheries impact livelihood.
  • Health Risks: Exposure through direct contact, inhalation, or consumption of contaminated seafood.

Remedial Measures for Cleaning Oil Spills

• Bioremediation: Use of microorganisms to degrade contaminants For e.g., Oilzapper and Oilivorous-S.
• Booms and Skimmers: Booms are physical barriers that slow the spread of oil while skimmers are boats that skim spilled oil from water surface. 
• Sorbents: Big sponges used to absorb oil.