pipelines
Newsletter
North Sea's decaying pipelines: a looming environmental threat
Scientists warn of potential environmental disaster in the North Sea due to decaying oil and gas pipelines releasing toxic substances.
In short:
- Decaying pipelines in the North Sea may release mercury and radioactive substances, posing significant risks to marine life.
- The accumulated mercury in pipelines could increase mercury levels in the sea, affecting the food web and marine biodiversity.
- Current regulations allow these pipelines to remain after decommissioning, raising concerns about long-term environmental impacts.
Key quote:
"Even a small increase in mercury levels in the sea will have a dramatic impact on the animals at the top of the food web."
— Lhiam Paton, researcher, Institute for Analytical Chemistry, University of Graz
Why this matters:
Over time, oil and gas pipelines, often neglected or forgotten, can corrode and leak, introducing hazardous substances into the water. They can cause a range of issues, from physiological stress to genetic damage in fish and other sea creatures. Such contamination can lead to a decrease in biodiversity and can disrupt delicate marine ecosystems.
Be sure to read: Coal, oil and gas have given communities across the U.S. both steady paychecks and devastating pollution.
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