What is the greatest source of oil pollution in the oceans?

What is the greatest source of oil pollution in the oceans?

• A. Offshore drilling
• B. Runoff from land (cars, roads, urban areas)
• C. Natural seeps
• D. Shipping spills

Answer: (B)

Oil pollution in the ocean is driven most by diffuse, land-based inputs rather than rare spills or drilling events. When it rains, oil and grease from roads, parking lots, and other urban surfaces are washed into storm drains and rivers, delivering a steady stream of petroleum hydrocarbons into coastal waters. This cumulative load from many sources over large areas ends up contributing more total oil to the oceans than a few large spills or localized drilling activities. Natural seeps do release oil as well, but they are natural and not caused by human activity; among human-caused sources, land runoff remains the largest contributor.

Oil pollution in the ocean is driven most by diffuse, land-based inputs rather than rare spills or drilling events. When it rains, oil and grease from roads, parking lots, and other urban surfaces are washed into storm drains and rivers, delivering a steady stream of petroleum hydrocarbons into coastal waters. This cumulative load from many sources over large areas ends up contributing more total oil to the oceans than a few large spills or localized drilling activities. Natural seeps do release oil as well, but they are natural and not caused by human activity; among human-caused sources, land runoff remains the largest contributor.