An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially the marine ecosystem, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. The term is usually given to marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters, but spills may also occur on land. Oil spills can result from the release of crude oil from tankers, offshore platforms , Oil spills are disasters that can have severe social, economic, and environmental impacts. They are the release of crude oil or refined petroleum products from tankers, rigs, wells, and offshore platforms. These spills are most common in marine environments but can also occur on land., Understanding Oil Spills and Oil Spill Response This booklet provides information about oil spills. It contains chapters that outline and explain oil spills, their potential effects on the environment, how they are cleaned up, and how various agencies prepare for spills before they happen. Details about five oil spills, But these spills can still cause damage, especially if they happen in sensitive environments, like beaches, mangroves, and wetlands. Accidents involving tankers, barges, pipelines, refineries, drilling rigs, and storage facilities are the most common cause of oil spills, but recreational boats can also release oil out on the water or in marinas., What is an oil spill? Millions of years ago, sediment buried dead plants and animals. After that, high pressure and temperature conditions caused them to decay into a liquid form — oil — below ground. Today we tap into these oil pockets to generate power and fuel global transportation. Although oil originated with living organisms, its current form causes harm when it spills into the , .