science in Brent Spar
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The main aim behind the Brent Spar controversy was, how to effectively and efficiently dispose of an oil platform whilst minimising environmental damage? Shell was forced to either change its dumping procedure (deep-sea dumping) or besmirch its reputation due to huge public demand spurred on by Greenpeace. This saga ended with a heroic defeat for the environmentalist group against the giant industrial tyrants, as Brent Spar was dumped off-shore. But was the method chosen, the most effective? Or should it have been subject to an independent inquiry? This essay analyses the events that led up to the disposal of Brent Spar and the factors that influenced this decision. I question how the general public makes decisions based on the information they are provided with and weather they have a voice loud enough to be heard.
A major concern about platform disposal is what to do with the heavy metals that are released over time. Shells extensive disposal study evaluated over 30 methods and decided on deep-sea dumping and the release of heavy metals as the least risky method (Resource sheet 2). They concluded that as the ocean already contained natural hypothermal vents that rely on heavy metals, the arrival of Brent Spar would be incomparable to one of these vents or even beneficial by adding nutrients maintaining local ecosystems (Resource sheet 6)...