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Study Uncovers 99.5% of Oil Slicks Go Unreported

8/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A startling report reveals that out of over 90,000 oil slicks analyzed from 2014 to 2019, a mere 0.5% were reported. Most slicks stem from ships, often due to deliberate dumping of oily bilge water. Experts caution that these leaks pose a grave threat to marine life, especially plankton, which are vital to the ocean's food chain.

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Story summary

A startling report reveals that out of over 90,000 oil slicks analyzed from 2014 to 2019, a mere 0.5% were reported. Most slicks stem from ships, often due to deliberate dumping of oily bilge water. Experts caution that these leaks pose a grave threat to marine life, especially plankton, which are vital to the ocean's food chain.