Oil pollution, its occurrence, origin on the Libyan coast, and its impact on the marine environment

Abstract

Abstract: Ship accidents occasionally lead to oil spills, posing a significant threat to the marine environment and causing detrimental impacts on coastal ecosystems. This issue is particularly concerning in the Mediterranean Sea, which is regarded as one of the world's most ecologically and economically valuable marine regions, encompassing a wide array of coastal and marine ecosystems. Libya hosts three offshore oil production platforms situated along the continental shelf of its western coastline. In addition to offshore operations, significant oil and gas industrial activities are concentrated along the coast, particularly around the Zawiya Oil Refining Port and the Mellitah Oil Terminal. These facilities collectively represent considerable environmental pressure on Libya's marine and coastal ecosystems. Ecologically, Libya encompasses three of the thirteen recognized marine biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean region. Among these, the western Libyan coast stands out as a particularly sensitive area, distinguished by its rich marine and coastal biodiversity. The occurrence of oil spills in such areas can lead to a broad spectrum of adverse impacts, including substantial degradation of marine habitats, disruption of ecological balance, and harm to the livelihoods of coastal communities. In addition to environmental damage, oil pollution often imposes long-term social and economic stress on populations residing near contaminated shorelines, thereby compromising their overall quality of life. This study conducted a scientific review of sources and documents related to oil spills off the Libyan coast, and analysed CleanSeaNet reports data to determine the number of reports of oil spills off the Libyan coast. This was done to determine the frequency of these incidents and to predict their potential negative impacts on the marine environment.