14 Energy Transitions and Environmental Protection …
433
on terrestrial environments will undergo volatilization and biodegradation.
9 On soil, a significant fraction will infiltrate into the subsurface,
the remaining oil fraction with heavy molecules has attracted significant
concern due to carcinogenic potentials and the ability to bioaccumulate. Additionally, the pipelines are causing major problems from leaking
leading to massive oil spills along the transportation line to the sea
terminal at port Sudan.
10 Thus, the effect of the oil spills on ecosystems is detrimental to both humans and wildlife. This section briefly
discusses the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuels and these
are outlined below:
• Effect on Underground Water
A serious threat posed by oil-related pollution is the impact on both
surface and underground waters. When oil spills occur or when there is
an effluent discharge, it seeps into the ground and becomes mixed in the
underground water system. This, in turn, pollutes the streams and wells,
which are mostly relied on by the local communities—hence resulting in
water-borne diseases.
11
In South Sudan, the issue of pollution has affected the traditional relationship of the people with water in the oil-bearing enclaves. Contrary
to the general perception that water is a source of life, the polluted wells
have not only caused misery to the local people but also disease and
death.
Operational discharges from the oil industry have created public
concern because they represent a substantial continuous input of
contaminants to the environment from many widely dispersed point
sources. A large volume of produced water is generated at the Melut basin
9 Kuch, Simon Garang; and Bavumiragira, Jean Pierre, “Impacts of Crude Oil Exploration and
Production on Environment and Its Implications on Human Health: South Sudan Review.”
10 Ibid.
11 MOE. The National Environment Protection and Sustainable Development Policy, 2014–
2024 Por. Juba: Ministry of Environment (MOE), Republic of South Sudan. Retrieved 13
March 2019.
433
on terrestrial environments will undergo volatilization and biodegradation.
9 On soil, a significant fraction will infiltrate into the subsurface,
the remaining oil fraction with heavy molecules has attracted significant
concern due to carcinogenic potentials and the ability to bioaccumulate. Additionally, the pipelines are causing major problems from leaking
leading to massive oil spills along the transportation line to the sea
terminal at port Sudan.
10 Thus, the effect of the oil spills on ecosystems is detrimental to both humans and wildlife. This section briefly
discusses the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuels and these
are outlined below:
• Effect on Underground Water
A serious threat posed by oil-related pollution is the impact on both
surface and underground waters. When oil spills occur or when there is
an effluent discharge, it seeps into the ground and becomes mixed in the
underground water system. This, in turn, pollutes the streams and wells,
which are mostly relied on by the local communities—hence resulting in
water-borne diseases.
11
In South Sudan, the issue of pollution has affected the traditional relationship of the people with water in the oil-bearing enclaves. Contrary
to the general perception that water is a source of life, the polluted wells
have not only caused misery to the local people but also disease and
death.
Operational discharges from the oil industry have created public
concern because they represent a substantial continuous input of
contaminants to the environment from many widely dispersed point
sources. A large volume of produced water is generated at the Melut basin
9 Kuch, Simon Garang; and Bavumiragira, Jean Pierre, “Impacts of Crude Oil Exploration and
Production on Environment and Its Implications on Human Health: South Sudan Review.”
10 Ibid.
11 MOE. The National Environment Protection and Sustainable Development Policy, 2014–
2024 Por. Juba: Ministry of Environment (MOE), Republic of South Sudan. Retrieved 13
March 2019.