Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on the Environment

The Deepwater Horizon spill occurred on 20 April 2010 and was caused by an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig that killed 11 workers and injured 17 more. The drilling rig, located 66 kilometers southeast of the Louisiana coast, left an oil gusher that was finally capped on July 15, almost 2 months later. This was the largest accidental marine oil spill in history and the largest offshore environmental disaster in the United States (Telegraph, New York Times, BBC News). It is estimated by scientists that over 4.9 million barrels of oil were released into the ocean, about half of the crude oil the U.S. imports each day and worth $400 million (Popular Mechanics, CBC News). About 1070 kilometers of coastline were contaminated.†¦show more content†¦Undersea life there tends to grow slowly, so that subtle effects on reproduction may take time to become apparent. Submersibles in the area of the spill detected an enormous undersea plume of oil 3,600 to 4,300 feet deep a nd hundreds of miles long. Oxygen levels plummeted inside the plume, suggesting that ocean microbes were consuming the components of the oil. These oil-eating microbes occur naturally in the gulf and as much as 3,000 barrels of oil per day seep naturally from the ocean floor, making oil a part of the environment. Communities of tube worms have grown around the oil seeps, showing that some sea life has adapted to the oil. However, the oil remains poisonous to much undersea life, with deep corals being particularly vulnerable. Deep-sea animal life is adapted to a stable environment and is not suited to rapid changes of temperature and chemical composition. Microbes are more flexible, and are critical to the chemical balance of the atmosphere, consuming carbon dioxide, methane, propane, and heavy oil components (Harvard Gazette). These microbes are distributed widely in the gulf and can reproduce rapidly when they come into contact with oil. The American Bird Conservancy has studied the effects of the spill on bird species in the affected region. The Gulf Coast is very important for hundreds of species of migratory birds that breed andShow MoreRelated Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on USA’s Environment and Economy1919 Words   |  8 PagesDepleting reserves, high oil prices and spectacular offshore discoveries concentrated a global attention to deep water (National Geographic, p.3). Joel and Bourne (2010) claim â€Å"the Gulf of Mexico now accounts for 30 percent of U.S. production, with half of that coming from deep water (1,000 to 4,999 feet)†. The U.S. government roughly calculated that the deep Gulf might contain 45 billion barrels of oil (NG, p.44). Hence, this fact gave new reasons for oil companies to drill oil wells in that regionRead MoreImpact Of The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill During The Gulf Of Mexico On The Local Environment1501 Words   |  7 PagesCASE STUDY IMPACT OF THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT INTRODUCTION The Gulf of Mexico covers an area of 600,000 square miles and is located between Mexico, Cuba and the United States (Tunell, 2011). Home to 15,419 recorded marine species; the Gulf of Mexico boasts a dynamic ecosystem, which includes 1511 endemic species. The position of the gulf between temperate and tropical waters provides one of the reasons for its vast biodiversity (Campagna et alRead MoreBritish Petroleums Crisis Handling Practice1113 Words   |  5 PagesINTRODUCTION In 2010 British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizon oilrig1 suffered a devastating explosion that resulted in the death of 11 workers and initiated the largest marine oil spill the world had or has ever seen (Pallardry). This spill also became the largest offshore environmental disaster in United States history (Elliot). Over 200 million gallons of crude oil were pumped into the Gulf of Mexico (Hoch), polluting over 16,000 coastal miles in the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, MississippiRead MoreCurrent Ethical Issues on Oil Spill1482 Words   |  6 Pagestheir domestic consumptions of oil have led to increased prices of gasoline whereby alternative forms of energy production are sought. With this in mind, offshore drilling can be a viable option for satiating the need of oil and also to boost the economy of the nation. In this report, I am going to discuss how the current Deepwater Horizon rig explosion has led to disastrous oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico causing environm ental problems and also discuss how the oil spill if resolved and with safe andRead MoreArgumentative Essay : Bp Oil Spill1558 Words   |  7 PagesArgumentative Essay: The BP Oil Spill Phillip Staton PHI 445 Personal Organizational Ethics Prof. Gloria Zuniga y Postigo February 29, 2016 Argumentative Essay: The BP Oil Spill Introduction In 2010, BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, causing millions of barrels of crude oil to be leaked out into the Gulf of Mexico. The extensive oil spill created a lot of pollution and far-reaching effects on the tourism industry. The resultant damage to marine wildlife such as fish will continue to be feltRead MoreBp : The Third Largest Energy Company Essay1547 Words   |  7 Pagesis located in Houston, Texas. The Deepwater Horizon was a semi-submersible offshore drilling rig owned by Transocean. Built in 2001 in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries the rig was leased to BP from 2001 until September 2013. On 20 April 2010, while drilling at the Macondo Prospect, an uncontrollable blowout caused an explosion on the rig that killed 11 crewmen and ignited a fireball. The fire was inextinguishable and, two days later, on April 22, the Horizon sank, leaving the well leaking atRead MoreThe Spill Of The Deepwater Horizon1188 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Deepwater Horizon experience d an explosive blowout on a rig located in the Gulf of Mexico. The explosion was about 40 miles of the Louisiana coast. With the flow of gas leaking out, it caused the death of eleven workers on the rig. About two days later the rig sank, which caused quite a lot of damage to a pipeline that laid drawn-out through 5,000 feet of water. As a result, the oil begin pouring from the damaged pipes into the ocean nearby, at the incredible rate. The Deepwater Horizon was builtRead MoreMultinational Gas And Oil Company1624 Words   |  7 PagesPetroleum is a multinational gas and oil company based in the United Kingdom. Operating in over 80 countries and producing around 3.4 million barrels of oil a day, BP is the third-largest energy company in the world behind Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell. The company is involved in all aspects of the process including exploration, production, refining, and distribution. The largest division is BP America with 16 total refineries and the more leas es on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico than any competitorRead MoreEthical Dilemma with the Bp Oil Spill1125 Words   |  5 PagesThe BP oil spill, more famously referred to as the Deepwater Horizon Spill, occurred in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico and flowed unmitigated for as long as 3 months. The BP oil spill has fared as the largest marine oil spill ever confronted in the history of the petroleum industry. The oil spill on the 20th of April 2010 was primarily the result of a gas release followed by an explosion in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, in the Gulf of Mexico, established on the Mocando exploration well designed forRead MoreOffshore Oil Drilling and the Deepwater Horizon Spill of the Gulf of Mexico1591 Words   |  7 PagesOil is a very important fossil fuel that is used for various sources of energy. Oil supplies power to industries, fuel for transportation, heat for buildings, and provides raw material for plastics, paints, textiles, and other materials (hybrid cars). To ac cess this fossil fuel, oil drilling is used. Land-based oil drilling became less productive and as the global stipulation for energy increased, technology, law, and geology impacts stepped in and pushed the exploration of oil away from shores (CITE)

The Relationship Between Locke And Rousseau On Human Nature

INTRODUCTION. This essay is aimed at discussing how human nature in Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau impact the way that the role and function of the state is viewed. Human Nature is referred to as the essential and immutable character of all human beings. Others may refer to it as the biological or genetic factor suggesting that there is an established and unchanging human core. It highlights what is innate and natural about human life, as opposed to what human beings have gained from education or through social experience. A social contract is an agreements made either among citizens or between citizens which gives rise to the State. When the social contract involves the mutual agreement between individuals in order to gain something from the†¦show more content†¦Hobbes believes that after human beings acquire the power they want, they begin to have other desires like fame, glory, sensual pleasure and admiration from others. Hobbes believed that humans live in a society of constant civil war - everyman against everyman He believed that humans were driven by non-rational appetites and, most important, instincts. Hobbes believed that all human beings were created equally. Hobbes imagined that every human was ready to kill a fellow human besides one being stronger than the other, the coward may be balanced by his intellect or some other personal characteristic. He believed that a motive for humans was to gain power, and when two or more humans come in conflict for the same thing, they became rivals and were ready to fight each other. He said that there were basic causes for war, competition, distrust and glory. In each case, humans used cruelty to conquer each other’s areas for their self-benefit, safety, or glory. He said that without a natural influence to bring people together, humans would be in a war of every man against every man provided the appetite to fight is known. He believed that conflict was the natural state of human beings and that peace was fabricated because it only existent based on beneficial mutual consensus agreements. If a group of people felt like wise interests, they would unite to form a stronger power in order to demol ish people with opposite

Best Practice Free Essays

What is a best practice? 1. It is the most efficient quantity and quality 2. A previously successful method 3. We will write a custom essay sample on Best Practice or any similar topic only for you Order Now labor/appropriate use of materials 4. Money goes up (owner) 5. Replicable (everyone) 6. Defines goal (making money while maintaining guest satisfaction) 7. High guest satisfaction 8. Efficient 9. Ethical Stake Holders Employer/Owner Employee Guest Environment BONUS QUESTION: Jay Westerweld in 1987, invented Green Washing which is a deceptively used method to appear â€Å"eco-friendly† to increase profits or gain political support STOP: Standard Operating Procedure (Used by corporations) QPI: Quality Performance Indicators ROI: Return of Investment Q: What is the difference between an independent and corporate chain? (INDEPENDENT HOTELIERS SHARE BEST PRACTICES by ERIC STOESSEL) Independent: * They are not branded and as well known * Customers tell the Independent hotels if something is wrong, not the brand * â€Å"Can do what they want when they want† * Biggest Challenge: Online Travel Agencies – reduced rates and high commission = losing money but you get exposure * 25% rate for product purchasing while corporate pay less than 17% * BP: â€Å"Capture and Keep† customers from OTA BP: Using online websites for bulk products such as Alibaba. com or Amazon. com * BP: Loyalty Program * BP: Call other property owners for advice * BP: Incentives for front desk staff of 20% – 50% commission for every room upgrade, early check in or pool pass sold instead of hiring a director of sales * BP: ? Charge guests property tax in times of trouble INDEPEND ENT HOTELS: The drake hotels, Windsor Arms Hotel, Hotel Victoria What are best management practices for natural resource conservation? (29 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND CASE STUDIES AT NRPA. ORG/CONSERVATION) * Rain Barrels: Conservation education and fun with a 1,000 gallon rain barrel * Rain Gardens: Can slow stormwater, conserve water, and create a wild life habitat and landscape beauty * Wind and Solar Energy (WESTIN HOTEL IN TORONTO: GREEN ENERGY, ONLY HOTEL WHO’S LOBBY RESTAURANTS ARE POWERED 100% GREEN ELECTRICITY, FOR RECYCLING: ALL ORANIC WASTE MATTER IS SENT TO A COMPOST OF SITE. HOTEL IS EQUIPPED WITH RECYCLING BINS IN ALL AREAS FOUR SEASONS INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATES IN TREE PLANTING DAY) Best practice in Hospitality Maintenance BP: Management can remind housekeeping staff of the three basic rules: Clean, Disinfect, and Deodorize * Cleaning: Wipe surface from one side to another, and dirt removed first before disinfection. * Bucket of solution should be changed frequently eg. Every 3 rooms. * When Cleaning hard floors, use two bucket moping techniques * Use a cleanser appropriate for multiple surfaces * Dilution Control saves time and money- bulk * Sh iny floors and vases – use metal polish daily * Provide incentives to staff who pick up trash, sweep corridors, wipe counters and tables (BEST PRACTICES IN HOSPITALITY MAINTENANCE – H2E CORNER) ARUBA MARRIOT CARRIBIAN RESORT PROVIDES HOUSEKEEPING STAFF A FULL WEEK OF FUN WITH BREAKFASTS, DINNERS, GAMES AND PARTIES ON AND OFF PROPERTY TO SHOW APPRECIATION AS AN INCENTIVE) Q: Name five different ways of being able to tell whether you have pests 1. Gnaw Marks 2. Droppings 3. Wall Marks 4. Smell 5. See the Animal 6. Skin Q: What do you do to eliminate them? 1. More air flow where there the air makes the flies go out 2. Fly Lights – sodium lights which keep them off instead of killing them 3. Automatic or spinning doors 4. Weather stripping (the thing at the bottom of the door) 5. Gravel barrier or a grate because pests don’t like uneven surfaces 6. Training staff to understand the importance of closing the door behind them such and pest control Best practice of water management * EPA – began a label called Water Sense that helps the end user identify water-saving products. * Managers being trained and aware of making sure only the best when buying the products * Utilize the service of performance contractors * Minimize water waste and expense has started to become on the best practices. How to cite Best Practice, Essay examples

The Rich Brother by Tibias Wolff free essay sample

Their display of sibling resentment, jealousy and utter disgust are evident. Waxler) The brothers really do need each other, but Pete seems to be dependent upon Donald just a little more. Pete, the older of the two siblings, is financially stable and much more successful. He exemplifies the American middle class dream of having everything that money can buy you. His hard work and dedication that he has put into the real estate business has paid off for him. He really does to seem to have any real care of the world, well except for his brother. Donald, being the younger of two is just his opposite. He lives alone and survives out of painting houses because of his large financial debt.He has a spiritual life or new found faith but yet seem to be the more unstable of two. Donald is often drifting from one job to the next so his dependency on his brother for support is vital. We will write a custom essay sample on The Rich Brother by Tibias Wolff or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It seems as though the non-stability seems not to bother the younger brother at all. He goes thru his life as carefree as allowed. (Hawley) The story proceeds as Pete comes to rescue Donald out of his difficulties. As the two are driving along the road in a car Pete gives Donald $100. However, they fade back into memories of their childhood when the two boys were much younger.Donald reminds Pete how as a kid he wanted to kill him, but Pete just simply replies, children always do such things as to show his brother that it was of no concern. (Wolff) Pete never seems interested to speak about his personal life with Donald, yet Donald asks him if he ever dreams of his younger brother. Unannounced to Donald, Pete has a recurring dream that he is blind and is at the mercies of his brother’s assistance. The blindness seems to be hinted at Pete being in need of genuine wealth, the same wealth that his brother Donald has. Waxler) The story moves along further and the character Webster is presented. He is full of deception and he too, in his own way, is dependent upon others to fulfill his needs. Webster tells the two brothers of a mythic tale of his own dream experience. This dream is much farfetched involving goldmines, but most of all displays his greed. Donald gives away his $100 given to Webster by his brother Pete without hesitation. Pete, learning of what has been done by his brother seems disappointed. He is somewhat angry with Donald’s actions and precedes to throws him out of the car once finding out what he has done.He thinks of how he would answer his wife when she would ask him about his brother. Perhaps he is not worried. He seems to be blinded by his material wealth. So much so that his sensitivity, in a since, has faded. He drives another mile, nodding to the tunes on the radio and pretending to himself that he could face the music of his wife asking , Where is he? Where is your brother? Knowing reality of it all, he turns back to retrieve his brother. (Wolff) Wolff’s story is very familiar to the biblical story of Cain and Able. One brother is said to be the good brother. He’s spiritual and loves God.He is always doing whatever he can to help others. The other brother is said to be hateful. He’s materialistic and has the least concern with God. This brother even goes to the extreme and kills his brother. The difference in character of the two brothers leaves the thought of who really is the rich brother? Is it Pete, the one who has the well rounded life with the wife and daughters, house and boat? Or is it Donald, the more religious of the two, who lives off of his brother but seems to be free of the stress of worrying? He’s carefree and will give what little he has to another.In the end of the story it seems that Wolff tries to show the reader the true meaning of wealth. When first reading the story one really thinks of Pete being the rich brother. He is the financially stable one of the two brothers. He has the wife and children along with the house and boat. It’s fair to say Pete deserve his material success. Pete has been the more responsible and has worked hard. Pete, although more responsible, can take a few pointers from his brother. It seems that he is a little empty and tries to fill his voids by taking care of his brother.Donald is trusting and carefree. He is the spiritual brother and seems to be in less need than his wealthy brother. There are many cases where the both Pete and Donald need one anther but the dream shows that Pete at the mercies of his brother, He is without direction and depends upon Donald for guidance. Maybe Donald can show his brother that although you have wealth and a nice family that stress shouldn’t be a factor. Perhaps he could teach his brother that having all these material things is less important than having a stable life.