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Language:
English
Series:
Part 188 of one-shots , Part 107 of Disney One-shots , Part 112 of Awareness stories , Part 2 of Myths of the Sea, Part 135 of collection stories
Collections:
2022 - Awareness Challenge
Stats:
Published:
2022-05-14
Words:
392
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
4
Kudos:
9
Bookmarks:
3
Hits:
404

Pollution

Summary:

When Luca returns home for summer vacation, he's in for a disaster beyond proportion. An oil slick has happened, and now all the sea monsters are sick. Can their human friends clean up the oil and help their fishy friends?

Notes:

Skimming: Take a Little Off the Top

Skimming is a process that removes oil from the sea surface before it reaches sensitive areas along a coastline. Sometimes, two boats will tow a collection boom allowing oil to concentrate within the boom, where a "skimmer then picks it up." From whirring disks to floating drums, skimmers come in various designs, but all work by removing the oil layer from the water's surface.

These devices attract oil to their surfaces before transferring it to a collection tank, often on boats. Ideal conditions for skimming are during the day when the oil slick is thick and the ocean surface is relatively calm.

A skimming operation's success depends on the "encounter rate." Much like a vacuum picks up dirt from your carpet, a skimmer has to come in direct contact with the oil to remove it from the surface, and, even then, it will still pick up some water. That's why responders will often refer to the volume of oil removed via skimming as gallons of an oil-water mixture.

Chemical Dispersants: Break It Up

Releasing chemical dispersants, usually from a small plane or a response vessel, on an oil slick breaks down the oil into smaller droplets, allowing them to mix more easily into the water column. Smaller oil droplets become more readily available to microbes that eat them and break them down into less harmful compounds.

However, dispersants have drawbacks, shifting potential impacts on the marine life living in the water column and on the seafloor. Because of this, the decision to chemically disperse oil into the water column is never made lightly.

This decision is often made so that much less oil stays at the surface, where it could affect birds and wildlife at the ocean surface and drift onto vulnerable coastal habitats like beaches, wetlands, and tidal flats.

Ideal conditions for chemical dispersion are daylight with mild winds and moderate seas. Chemical distribution is never done close to the shore, in shallow waters, near coastal communities, or when there is a potential for winds to carry the chemical spray away from its intended target.

Natural dispersion occurs when waves at the ocean surface have enough turbulent energy to allow surface oil to mix into the water column. Applying chemical dispersants can expedite this process when an imminent threat is associated with enabling the oil to stay on the surface.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

 

Luca squirmed in his seat on the train.
The summer holidays had just begun, and he and Giulia were heading back to Portorosso, excited to see their families—and Alberto again. But the reunion they’d imagined vanished the moment they stepped off the train.

The small seaside village was in a panic.

They soon found out why.

A violent windstorm had come out of nowhere, forcing a massive oil barge aground. Now the bay was flooded with oil. The sea monsters had already evacuated, and the town was scrambling to contain the disaster. But no one in Portorosso had faced something like this before.

Luca could feel the damage—even on land.

Though in human form, he was growing extremely ill, just like the other sea monsters. Their health was tethered to the sea. No matter how far they traveled, their souls remained linked to the ocean.

The pollution was making them all sick.

For years, the underwater community had taken bold, risky steps to protect their home from creeping contamination. But this—this was catastrophic. The oil wasn’t just poisoning the water; it was poisoning them.

Portorosso, now fiercely protective of its fishy friends, was desperate to help. They reached out to bigger cities and the government, pleading for support. But the hurricane had caused damage across the globe, and help was slow to arrive.

In the meantime, the townsfolk did what they could. Anyone with even a scrap of medical knowledge tended to the sea monsters, trying to ease their symptoms as best they could.

Three days later, help finally arrived.

Specialized watercraft came into the bay and began working to contain and remove the oil. It was progress—but it wasn’t a solution. Even after the last slick was cleared, full recovery could take over a decade.

The sea monsters couldn’t go home.

Not yet.

The water was still too dangerous, the illness still too strong. For now, they’d have to move inland, find cleaner waters—wait and hope. Portorosso vowed to help them, calling in favors and coordinating with nearby towns to find safe places for their friends to stay.

One thing was clear.

If there was a lesson to learn in all this:
Protect the ocean. Protect each other.
The sea isn’t just a place. It’s a lifeline.
Be part of the solution. The power is yours.

 

 

 

Notes:

The situation in Portorosso is dire, highlighting the devastating impact of environmental disasters on human and marine communities. Here are a few steps that could be taken to address the immediate crisis and prevent future incidents:

Emergency Response: Continue efforts to clean up the oil spill and mitigate its environmental impact. Mobilize resources and expertise from both local and international organizations to ensure a swift and effective response.

Healthcare Support: Provide medical assistance and treatment to affected sea monsters and residents who may have been exposed to pollutants. Establish temporary healthcare facilities and ensure access to clean water and supplies for those in need.

Long-Term Recovery: Develop a comprehensive plan for long-term environmental recovery and restoration. This could include initiatives to rehabilitate affected ecosystems, monitor water quality, and implement measures to prevent future pollution incidents.

Community Engagement: Foster collaboration and communication between government agencies, local communities, and environmental organizations. Engage residents in efforts to protect and preserve their natural surroundings, including education programs and public awareness campaigns.

Policy Reform: Advocate for stronger environmental regulations and policies to prevent pollution and hold polluters accountable. Invest in sustainable development practices and alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and minimize environmental impact.

International Cooperation: Work with neighboring communities and international partners to address transboundary environmental issues and promote global cooperation on marine conservation efforts.

By taking proactive steps to address the current crisis and implementing long-term solutions, Portorosso and its residents can work towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for humans and sea creatures.