Environmental effects of extracting mineral resources?

Answer 1

There is potential for environmental damage during the drilling and production of oil, both onshore and offshore. Blowouts, or uncontrolled production can cause environmental damage. If offshore, marine life and birds are likely to be affected. Although more likely to occur during the exploration or delineation phase of development, the largest spills occurred as a result of war (in Kuwait as a result of the Iraqi invasion). Some potential for environmental damage can occur during the disposal of waste products. During drilling, there are normally regulations that control the disposal of waste, and fluids (mud, additives, oil and in some cases acid) used in operations. In the production period, which may last several decades or more, the use of oil pits (containing oily water, which is skimmed for the oil) can be the source of pollution. See link. Drilling in remote areas such as the ANWR area of Alaska, has raised serious questions of disturbing the wildlife (and damaging the ecosystem) by setting up drilling bases and pipelines. I have included a few links found on the internet. Environmental damage in Ecuador's rainforest is a controversial subject. Generally, no one denies damage, it is only a question of how much and whether this damage was condone by Ecuador's government's national oil company. Some of the rainforest damage is not directly link to the production. The "drilling footprint", logistics and operation bases can be kept small. However, operations required manpower, and in turn, spawn new towns in the rainforest. Deforestation occurs initially to set up of bases, drilling locations and roads, but more follow for purposes of farming. In adding links, I've included a link to the American Petroleum Institute, which is supported by the major oil producers, and provides their opinion of environmental issues. Also, for balance, I've added links of news stories, which may more reflect the viewpoints of environmental activists. Finally, I included a wikipedia link which is generally unbiased. There are a number of books on the subject as well.

Answer 2

1- the environment will be more pollute

2- because oil is non- renewable, it may become scarce

3- people will have more chances of getting a disease

regards,

Beshr Akeel

Nobles Int. School

grade 6

Answer 3

extracting crude oil can cause loads of harm to the enviroment. if its underground youll need to dig big holes killing and destrying animals and their homes. if its under the sea youll have to build big pipelines which is dangerous activity and can cause animals to be scared. if the pipeline leaks then it spreads into the sea and kills the animals and plants around it.

Answer 4

Oil production and transportation causes severe damage to the environment, both deliberately and accidentally.

• Oil waste dumping produces pollution,
• Oil spills wreak havoc on the surrounding wildlife and habitat.
• Physically it smothers and contaminates
• Chemically it has toxic effects.
• Even oil clean ups damage the habitat of birds, sea mammals, marine shore life and plants.
• Oil Runoff damages waterways
• Human life is also affected through water pollution and
• soil contamination which affects
• vegetation
• livestock and
• human health.
• Oil spills also damage power stations and desalination plants which use clean sea water.

Answer 5

basically it effects the environment by global warming and we are wasting it.

Answer 6

shivam kumar singh