Spills from oil tankers and pipelines hit the headlines, but petrol users on land are the worst offenders. A US National Research Council report has found that petroleum users around the world spill some 480,000 tonnes into the ocean, most of which comes from runoff from land spills and emissions from boats used for recreation. Tanker and pipeline spills, by contrast, average just 150,000 tonnes per year, and leaks from oil wells add another 38,000 tonnes.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
2
Our brains have their first thoughts surprisingly early in life
3
The secrets to keeping your brain sharp in old age
4
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
5
Autism and ADHD are on the rise due to widening diagnostic criteria
6
Autism may have two distinct subtypes that vary by brain activity
7
Ancient monument marked summer solstice centuries before Stonehenge
8
Who finds dad jokes funniest? The answer might not astonish you
9
At CERN's Antimatter Factory, scientists probe the mysteries of matter
10
Pigeons lock their eyes in place when they are flying