What To Do When Oil Spills Into A Pond

CONTENTS

• What is an oil spill?
• What happens when oil spills on water?
• How does oil affect marine life?
• How to act when oil spills in your pond
• The long-term effects of an oil spill in a pond
• Frequently asked questions
• Get in touch

An oil spill in a pond can severely impact the local ecosystem, so understanding how to respond effectively is crucial for minimising environmental damage. The impact of an oil spill extends beyond immediate contamination. Over time, it can cause long-term harm to aquatic life and disrupt delicate ecological balances.

At ICE Cleaning, our team of fully trained technicians offer comprehensive oil clean-up services following a spill in a pond or other bodies of water. We aim to restore your pond and prevent further damage by neutralising potential long-term impacts.

Read on to learn more about what happens when oil spills into a pond and how you can save aquatic life.

What is an oil spill?

An oil spill refers to the unintentional release of oil into our environment, either caused by human activity or natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.

The type of oil spill is not limited to crude oil and can include refined products like diesel fuel or petrol, which pose a significant threat to the ecological balance.

Spills primarily occur during transportation phases – either through pipelines, vessels, or lorries. However, they can also happen at drilling rigs and refineries due to accidents or equipment malfunctions. Some spills can even occur on a residential property, which are known as domestic spills.

What happens when oil spills on water?

Whether it is a pond or the ocean, an oil spill on water triggers a chain reaction with severe environmental consequences. Due to its lower density and hydrophobic characteristics, oil quickly spreads across the water's surface and becomes difficult to clean.

This rapid spread creates an oily barrier that contaminates potential water sources, rendering them unfit for consumption. Even minor spills can cause long-lasting damage to local ecosystems, necessitating immediate attention from expert cleaning services. 

How does oil affect marine life?

Oil spills have devastating effects on marine life. One immediate threat is direct contact with oil, which can cause severe injuries or even death to aquatic creatures. This grim reality becomes evident when such incidents occur in bodies of water.

Another deadly consequence is suffocation due to reduced oxygen levels in the water body affected by an oil spill. A thick layer of oil hinders the air-water exchange, creating lethal conditions for most species.

Ingestion of contaminated food within an impacted ecosystem leads to long-term health problems among marine organisms. These chronic impacts can persist for years after the incident and significantly contribute to population declines in certain species.

How to act when oil spills in your pond

The task of salvaging a pond after an oil spill is complex as it requires swiftly containing the spilt oil, which can spread across the entire body of water immediately.

Utilising materials such as paper towels or absorbent pads becomes crucial at this stage as they act like sponges, soaking up and trapping the rogue oil particles. 

If your pond has a protein skimmer, it can catch some of the leftover contaminants, effectively extracting them from the water and ensuring optimal oxygen levels. Improperly handled spills can worsen contamination levels and even lead to blockages in drainage systems, increasing the risk of flooding. 

If any oil touches your skin, you must wash it immediately with lukewarm water and soap. Contacting a professional oil spill clean-up company to help extract oil from your pond is the best option as this can ensure thorough decontamination of the area and help save any pond life.

The long-term effects of an oil spill in a pond

An oil spill in a pond can have long-term effects on the ecosystem. The oil's coating of the pond's surface can deprive it of oxygen, destroying aquatic life and plants. This contamination can also disrupt the food chain, as organisms ingest the oil and pass it on to predators.

The effects of an oil spill can linger for years, impacting the pond's water quality and the health of its inhabitants. The oil can also seep into the soil and groundwater, spreading the contamination and posing risks to surrounding ecosystems.

The water quality also takes a hit as sediments and soil become contaminated. As these elements degrade due to contamination, so does the overall health of our ponds and lakes.

Oil spills increase flooding risks even when there is no rainfall, as blocked drainage systems caused by these spills increase the chances of flooding during heavy rain or snow melt.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if oil gets in water?

If oil seeps into the water, it forms a slick that harms aquatic life and ecosystems. It also contaminates drinking water and may lead to long-term environmental damage.

How do you clean water after an oil spill?

Cleaning up after an oil spill involves using absorbent materials to contain the spill, followed by the removal of visible surface-level contamination. 

Get in touch

ICE Cleaning offers specialist oil spill cleaning services that help restore your pond after an oil spill incident. Our experienced team has the expertise and equipment for safe containment and clean-up operations.

You can contact our team today for an emergency response at 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk, where we can be on-site at your earliest convenience to tackle a spill. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year, nationwide, and work to meet your needs and ensure excellent results.