Environmental Impact of the Petroleum Industry (Soil Contamination)

I was born in a country blessed with “The black gold” but also a country that has been damaging their environment by Its Petroleum Industry.

Mexico is one of The Top 10 Oil-producing Countries, this has pushed forward the country. Nevertheless, it has had a big impact on the environment, particularly soil. PEMEX (Mexican Petroleum) is the most important company in Mexico, the largest tax contributor to the Mexican government, although this company is responsible for the 57% of environmental emergencies in the Country.

Many of the environmental emergencies have been caused by the oil spill and fuel theft. There are around 5,207 contaminated sites, a total of 1,037 hectares and only 14.4% of these sites have been treated. The rest is ignored by PEMEX. This company evades its responsibility by saying that many of these contaminated places have been polluted by clandestine outlets in their pipes and not by them.

One of the last oil spills has occurred near my hometown, it was big ecocide. Near of 90 families were evacuated from their homes because the zone had a high risk of explosion. Not only the Tepeyac river was polluted, but also the Soil and air of the zone. Now the river is so polluted with solvents that a disposable plate can be dissolved within 1 minute if it is exposed to the river water. The local people had to block the highway in order to demand the environmental remediation of the area. Their requests were heard, although the damage is already done. Many fishes, turtles, birds and almost every living organism in that area are dead. PEMEX is still working in the environmental remediation of the area and they managed to keep the problem from expanding to a bigger river. However, the soil is totally polluted, and the damage is invaluable.

This oil spill was caused by fuel theft. Unfortunately, this is only one case of thousands around the country. Oil thieves have about 6,873 illegal perforations on PEMEX pipelines. The problem of fuel theft is an internal problem and a big concern of the New Mexico’s government.  

Since the change of government, a month ago, there have been good changes in Mexico. A new strategic plan has started in order to eliminate fuel theft and within four days the fuel theft has decreased by 17%. This plan has big expectations, it will not only benefit the Oil Sales but also the environment and safety of the population.

Source:

Heidi I. Villafán Vidales. (18-04-2018). Contaminación de agua por tomas clandestinas de hidrocarburos. La Unión, 30. 

https://www.launion.com.mx/opinion/sin-embargo-se-mueve/noticias/123151-contaminacion-de-agua-por-tomas-clandestinas-de-hidrocarburos.html