OUR society today has become dependent on fossil fuels, such as oil, to generate power for so many of the conveniences we now take for granted. Oil is drilled mainly from the rich oil fields of the Middle East, the North Sea and the North American Mid-West. It is also drilled in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as in some other areas.

But drilling itself and oil field operations carry risks. Oil, in its crude form or as a relined product, has to be transported to various parts of the world now dependent on this resource.

The increased demand for oil and the resulting increase in the trade in petroleum and its products has led to an increase in the occurrence of accidents, spills, fires and explosions along sea routes, land routes and at terminals.

The sea lanes throughout the wider Caribbean region form a complex and extensive lattice, with the routes used in trade being almost limitless. Crude oil in the Caribbean moves from sources, including the Middle East, the North Sea, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Venezuela, Alaska, Guatemala, North Africa, West Africa, Russia and the West Coast of South America – increasing the potential for oil pollution of the Caribbean marine environment.

Sources of oil pollution

On-shore sources include disposed of automobile and industrial lubricants, spillage from oil-storage facilities, leakage from motor vehicles, transportation accidents and oil refinery operations. These on-shore sources are often carried to the marine environment by terrestrial run-off after rainfall events or from river discharges.

Off-shore sources include natural seeps, off-shore exploration and production, routine tanker discharges and shipping operations, as well as tanker accidents.

How oil behaves

When oil spills, it spreads very quickly. The rate of spreading is dependent on physical and chemical properties of the oil, such as viscosity and density, as well as prevailing environmental conditions. Oil will behave differently – whether it is on water or on land, the type of terrain, wind speed, waves and currents, and natural or man-made obstacles.

Generally, when oil is spilled, it is redistributed relatively quickly through the processes of spreading, evaporation, dispersion, solution, absorption and sinking. Degradation, commonly called weathering, will also occur through chemical process, the effect of sunlight and by biological processes.

Dr Margaret Jones-Williams is a director and principal consultant at Environmental Solutions Ltd (ESL), an environmental management services company with its main office in Kingston, Jamaica.

Join us next week for more on oil and the environment.

The Jamaican Coney

Our Habitat continues our series on endangered species in Jamaica with a look at the Jamaican coney this week. Have questions or comments? E-mail williamsp@jamaicaobserver.com.

The Jamaican Coney

(Geocapromys brownii)

In addition to its scientific name, the Jamaican Coney is also referred to as the Jamaican Hutia(G). It is similar to guinea pigs, with a large head and short ears, neck, legs and tail, which is clothed in short, stiff, black hair. Its body is cloaked in dark, reddish-brown hair. Adults of the species – described as shy, nocturnal rodents by NEPA – weigh an estimated 1,000 to 2000 grams.

Home

The species are usually found in remote, mountainous regions of the island, such as the John Crow Mountains of Portland and St Thomas, the Hellshire areas of St Catherine, and the Cockpit Country in Trelawny. They shelter in holes in limestone for safety, and to rear their juveniles.

Diet

Jamaican conyes emerge at nights to feed on a combination of fruit, vegetables and seeds. The plants they feed on include Spanish needle, guinea grass, cowitch and bastard cedar. They are also known to eat bananas and oranges.

Threats

There are a number of threats to the survival of the Jamaican coney, which is protected under the Wildlife and Protection Act. They include the destruction of their habitat via deforestation and development. There is also the threat posed by humans, dogs, cats and pigs.

Why protection is necessary

NEPA notes that 50 per cent of the world’s conies are extinct, and that there is concern that the Jamaican Coney will suffer a similar fate – “if the factors contributing to their decline are not stemmed”.

Interesting fact about the Jamaican coney:

They are often born as twins.

Source: National Environment and Planning Agency, (www.nrca.org/yourenv/biodiversity/Species/jamaican_coney.htm).