Oil does not mix with water; it floats on the surface and can cause significant environmental damage.
Here's a breakdown of what happens:
- Immiscibility: Oil and water are immiscible, meaning they don't mix. This is due to differences in their molecular structure. Water is a polar molecule, while oil is non-polar. Polar molecules are attracted to other polar molecules, and non-polar molecules are attracted to other non-polar molecules.
- Floating: Oil is less dense than water, causing it to float on the surface.
- Spreading: Oil spreads out into a thin layer on the water's surface, forming an oil slick.
- Oxygen Depletion: This thin layer prevents oxygen from dissolving into the water, harming aquatic plants and animals that need oxygen to survive. As highlighted in the reference, just 1 liter of oil can contaminate 1 million liters of water.
- Harm to Wildlife: Animals can become coated in oil, impairing their ability to regulate body temperature, fly, or swim. They can also ingest oil, leading to poisoning.
- Water Contamination: Oil contamination makes water undrinkable and can harm aquatic ecosystems and human health.
In summary, oil pollutes water by preventing oxygen absorption, harming wildlife, and contaminating the water source.
