What are the effects that British Petroleum has on the Environment?

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Company Profile: British Petroleum3

Aim and Objectives4

Research Questions4

Significance of the Study5

Layout of the Dissertation5

REFERENCES7

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Oil and gas have a significant impact on the environment of a country and mostly, this impact is negative as they are toxic to all the living beings (Talwar, 1993, p. 22). Oil also known as petroleum is closely related to the virtual aspects that are present in the society, especially, for heating that is done for both house and commercial activities and transportation (Swamidass, 1988, p. 78). Oil and gas can lead to a number of negative impacts on the environment of a country and even the world. Since Benzene is present in gasoline and crude oil, it causes in toxicity which can lead to leukemia in human beings (Talwar, 1993, p. 22). It can also lower the count of white blood cells in human beings, which makes the people exposed to infections that are more susceptible (Meier, 1982, p. 55). Oil and gas also lead to air pollution, because when petroleum or oil is burned, mostly combustion does not get completed. This shows that the compounds that are incompletely burned are created in combination to carbon dioxide and water (Castelló, 2010, p. 463).

High levels of temperatures can be created by combustion of oil or petroleum. This produces nitrogen gas to react with air and make nitrogen oxide. Nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide is released due to the presence of sulphur in oil (Bolson & Cook, 2008, p. 364). They combine with the water in the atmosphere and create acid rain. Acid rain leads to a number of problems, which includes harm to the marine life and even dead trees (Maas & Hox, 2005, p. 91).

Humans all around the world have been burning large amounts of petroleum, which creates big amounts of carbon dioxide (Maas & Hox, 2005, p. 85). Carbon dioxide traps the heat in the atmosphere of the earth. Since there are other compounds that are released from petroleum, it traps heat in itself and blocks the light of the sun and therefore, it cools the atmosphere of the earth (Meier, 1982, p. 55).

Contamination of local surface water can be caused by incorrect handling of drilling fluids and produced water, leaking pipelines, wells and storage tanks, storm water runoff from roads, platforms and other paved surfaces or compacted, incorrect handling of domestic sewage and debris from equipment maintenance and erosion of disturbed land (Castelló, 2010, p. 463). Taking water for drilling and domestic use of local sources can be decreased stocks that are available for native or wildlife. If placed incorrectly, the casing can be contaminated aquifers (Klinenberg, 2002, p. 35).

The particles are transported in the atmosphere are caused by soil disturbance during construction activities and vehicular traffic and wind erosion on dirt roads and other surfaces moved (Castelló, 2010, p. 463). The other pollutants and particles are the result of burning ...