| A slow release of oil seems to have far less of an impact than the sudden release of large quantities. Its when large quantities are suddenly released in shallow, coastal waters that there seems to be a real problem.
Millions of tonnes of oil leaks into the sea naturally from leaking reserves far below the surface. Its a naturally ocurring source of pollution but one the oceans have survived with for thousands of years.
I guess with many of these wrecks, the risk of pollution that will go with any attempt to remove the oil may outweigh the risk of leaving it where it is and hoping it will gradually leak away over a long period of time? |