Oil spills - risk analysis and modelling the potential impacts along the South- West coast of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Oil enters the marine environment by a number of different routes as a result of both human activities and natural processes. Tanker accidents account for about 12% of the total amount of oil entering the oceans, which is estimated as 400,000 tonnes per year. Despite the introduction of many millions of tonnes of oil into the world's oceans, there is little evidence of a build-up of oil residues in the sea. Accidental oil spills are usually of greatest concern since these often give rise to conspicuous acute pollution.