Neglected oil and gas pipelines deteriorating in the North Sea pose a potential hazard, as they may discharge significant amounts of hazardous substances such as mercury, radioactive lead, and polonium-210, infamous for its role in the poisoning of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko, caution scientists.

Mercury, a highly toxic element present naturally in oil and gas, adheres to the interior of pipelines and accumulates over time, eventually being released into the sea as the pipelines corrode.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-make-stunning-discovery-of-fossil-belonging-to-240-million-year-old-dragon-693402">Scientists make stunning discovery of fossil belonging to 240 million-year-old 'dragon'</a>

Methylmercury, the most toxic form of the metal, is emitted by these pipelines, with other forms potentially converting into it. The Minamata Convention on Mercury internationally warns that elevated mercury levels in marine mammals like dolphins, whales, and seals can lead to "reproductive failure, behavioural changes, and even death." Seabirds and large predatory fish, such as tuna and swordfish, are also particularly at risk.

Lhiam Paton, a researcher at the University of Graz’s Institute for Analytical Chemistry, who has highlighted the mercury pollution issue, emphasises that even a slight rise in sea mercury levels can have a significant impact on top-of-the-food-chain animals.

The North Sea harbors approximately 27,000 km of gas pipelines, and experts estimate that the metal concentration in the sea could surge anywhere from 3 per cent to 160 per cent&nbsp;above current levels. Unlike some countries where regulations mandate the removal of pipelines after oil well cessation, North Sea companies are permitted to leave them to deteriorate.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-silent-warning-microplastics-is-found-in-every-human-placenta-a-new-study-reveals-693332">A silent warning? Microplastics found in every human placenta, reveals new study</a>

Paton, whose findings are published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, warns that pipelines left on the seabed may retain substantial amounts of mercury, waiting to be released into the local marine environment as they corrode post-decommissioning. The impact on wildlife and food chains will depend on the form of mercury released, with certain forms less likely to be absorbed by marine life. Researcher Dr. Darren Koppel emphasises the need to understand the long-term fate of mercury in contaminated pipelines and the conditions leading to its integration into food webs.

In addition to mercury, scientists are concerned about naturally occurring radioactive materials, such as radium, present in some underwater oil and gas reservoirs. These materials may accumulate as scales inside subsea pipelines, with potential radiological risks to marine organisms. Experts stress the necessity for further research to comprehend the environmental impact fully.

<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/video-nasa-releases-stunning-time-lapse-footage-of-gamma-ray-sky-676739" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/video-nasa-releases-stunning-time-lapse-footage-of-gamma-ray-sky-676739&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiIv4Wi6sOEAxVGRmwGHTSRDI8QFnoECAAQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw097MpNv2u2NFy2Wp-tHafT" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/video-nasa-releases-stunning-time-lapse-footage-of-gamma-ray-sky-676739" target="_blank">Video: NASA releases stunning time-lapse footage of gamma-ray</a>

Hugo Tagholm, executive director of Oceana UK, describes the situation as another instance of the severe harm caused by oil and gas developments on marine wildlife, emphasising mercury's neurotoxic effects. Despite being a signatory to the Minamata convention, aimed at addressing mercury pollution, the UK has recently granted new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea. Concerns are raised about the potential risks to the rich biodiversity of the North Sea and the millions dependent on it.

Responding to these concerns, Offshore Energies UK decommissioning manager Ricky Thomson asserts the industry's commitment to meeting obligations under national and international regulations. The decommissioning process involves rigorous environmental impact assessments, with operators obtaining permits and consents from the offshore environmental regulator.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-nasa-videos-show-shocking-visualisation-of-global-carbon-emissions-606508">Video:&nbsp;New NASA videos show shocking visualisation of global carbon emissions</a>

However, concerns persist, with experts emphasising the need for transparency, collaboration, and ongoing research to address the potential environmental consequences of neglected pipelines. Worldwide, there are approximately 1.3 million km of installed oil and gas pipelines.

(With inputs from agencies)

Neglected oil and gas pipelines deteriorating in the North Sea pose a potential hazard, as they may discharge significant amounts of hazardous substances such as mercury, radioactive lead, and polonium-210, infamous for its role in the poisoning of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko, caution scientists.

Neglected oil and gas pipelines deteriorating in the North Sea pose a potential hazard, as they may discharge significant amounts of hazardous substances such as mercury, radioactive lead, and polonium-210, infamous for its role in the poisoning of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko, caution scientists. Mercury, a highly toxic element present naturally in oil and gas, adheres to the interior of pipelines and accumulates over time, eventually being released into the sea as the pipelines corrode. Also read: Scientists make stunning discovery of fossil belonging to 240 million-year-old 'dragon' Methylmercury, the most toxic form of the metal, is emitted by these pipelines, with other forms potentially converting into it. The Minamata Convention on Mercury internationally warns that elevated mercury levels in marine mammals like dolphins, whales, and seals can lead to "reproductive failure, behavioural changes, and even death." Seabirds and large predatory fish, such as tuna and swordfish, are also particularly at risk. Lhiam Paton, a researcher at the University of Graz’s Institute for Analytical Chemistry, who has highlighted the mercury pollution issue, emphasises that even a slight rise in sea mercury levels can have a significant impact on top-of-the-food-chain animals. The North Sea harbors approximately 27,000 km of gas pipelines, and experts estimate that the metal concentration in the sea could surge anywhere from 3 per cent to 160 per cent above current levels. Unlike some countries where regulations mandate the removal of pipelines after oil well cessation, North Sea companies are permitted to leave them to deteriorate. Also read: A silent warning? Microplastics found in every human placenta, reveals new study Paton, whose findings are published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, warns that pipelines left on the seabed may retain substantial amounts of mercury, waiting to be released into the local marine environment as they corrode post-decommissioning. The impact on wildlife and food chains will depend on the form of mercury released, with certain forms less likely to be absorbed by marine life. Researcher Dr. Darren Koppel emphasises the need to understand the long-term fate of mercury in contaminated pipelines and the conditions leading to its integration into food webs. In addition to mercury, scientists are concerned about naturally occurring radioactive materials, such as radium, present in some underwater oil and gas reservoirs. These materials may accumulate as scales inside subsea pipelines, with potential radiological risks to marine organisms. Experts stress the necessity for further research to comprehend the environmental impact fully. Video: NASA releases stunning time-lapse footage of gamma-ray Hugo Tagholm, executive director of Oceana UK, describes the situation as another instance of the severe harm caused by oil and gas developments on marine wildlife, emphasising mercury's neurotoxic effects. Despite being a signatory to the Minamata convention, aimed at addressing mercury pollution, the UK has recently granted new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea. Concerns are raised about the potential risks to the rich biodiversity of the North Sea and the millions dependent on it. Responding to these concerns, Offshore Energies UK decommissioning manager Ricky Thomson asserts the industry's commitment to meeting obligations under national and international regulations. The decommissioning process involves rigorous environmental impact assessments, with operators obtaining permits and consents from the offshore environmental regulator. Video: New NASA videos show shocking visualisation of global carbon emissions However, concerns persist, with experts emphasising the need for transparency, collaboration, and ongoing research to address the potential environmental consequences of neglected pipelines. Worldwide, there are approximately 1.3 million km of installed oil and gas pipelines. (With inputs from agencies)

Abandoned pipelines pose threat of releasing toxins into North Sea, scientists issue warning

Oil prices on Wednesday slipped away from two-and-a-half year highs hit the previous session as the gradual resumption of flows through a major North Sea pipeline made up for supply disruption in Libya.

But the two outages in quick succession have highlighted how much tighter global oil markets have become a year into supply cuts led by OPEC and Russia.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $59.73 a barrel at 0421 GMT, down 24 cents from their last settlement. WTI broke through $60 a barrel for the first time since June 2015 in the previous session.

Brent crude futures were at $66.71 a barrel, down 31 cents after breaking through $67 for the first time since May 2015 the previous day.

&quot;Crude spiked sharply in reaction to an explosion at a Libyan pipeline...(but) the price spike came with light volumes as London was closed for Boxing Day,&quot; said Sukrit Vijayakar, director of energy consultancy Trifecta.

Libya lost around 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil supplies from a blast on a pipeline feeding Es Sider port on Tuesday.

Wednesday&#39;s dips were a result of the gradual return of the 450,000 bpd capacity Forties pipeline system in the North Sea. Flows through Forties will return to normal early in the New Year, operator Ineos said.

Both the Forties and Libyan outages, which together amount to around 500,000 bpd, are small in a global context where both production and demand are approaching 100 million bpd.

But the disruptions highlight that markets have tightened significantly a year into voluntary supply restraint led by top producer Russia and the Middle East-dominated Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that following rampant oversupply in 2015, global oil markets gradually came into balance by 2016 and started to show a slight supply deficit this year, resulting in a reduction of global fuel inventories.

EIA data implies a slight supply shortfall of 180,000 bpd for the first quarter of 2018.

OPEC and Russia started withholding production last January, and the current schedule is to continue cutting throughout 2018.

A major factor countering efforts by OPEC and Russia efforts to prop up prices is US oil production, which has soared more than 16 percent since mid-2016 and is fast approaching 10 million bpd.

Only OPEC king-pin Saudi Arabia and Russia produce more.

The latest US production figures are due to be published by the EIA on Thursday.

Wednesday's dips were a result of the gradual return of the 450,000 bpd capacity Forties pipeline system in the North Sea.

Oil prices on Wednesday slipped away from two-and-a-half year highs hit the previous session as the gradual resumption of flows through a major North Sea pipeline made up for supply disruption in Libya. But the two outages in quick succession have highlighted how much tighter global oil markets have become a year into supply cuts led by OPEC and Russia. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $59.73 a barrel at 0421 GMT, down 24 cents from their last settlement. WTI broke through $60 a barrel for the first time since June 2015 in the previous session. Brent crude futures were at $66.71 a barrel, down 31 cents after breaking through $67 for the first time since May 2015 the previous day. "Crude spiked sharply in reaction to an explosion at a Libyan pipeline...(but) the price spike came with light volumes as London was closed for Boxing Day," said Sukrit Vijayakar, director of energy consultancy Trifecta. Libya lost around 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil supplies from a blast on a pipeline feeding Es Sider port on Tuesday. Wednesday's dips were a result of the gradual return of the 450,000 bpd capacity Forties pipeline system in the North Sea. Flows through Forties will return to normal early in the New Year, operator Ineos said. Both the Forties and Libyan outages, which together amount to around 500,000 bpd, are small in a global context where both production and demand are approaching 100 million bpd. But the disruptions highlight that markets have tightened significantly a year into voluntary supply restraint led by top producer Russia and the Middle East-dominated Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that following rampant oversupply in 2015, global oil markets gradually came into balance by 2016 and started to show a slight supply deficit this year, resulting in a reduction of global fuel inventories. EIA data implies a slight supply shortfall of 180,000 bpd for the first quarter of 2018. OPEC and Russia started withholding production last January, and the current schedule is to continue cutting throughout 2018. A major factor countering efforts by OPEC and Russia efforts to prop up prices is US oil production, which has soared more than 16 percent since mid-2016 and is fast approaching 10 million bpd. Only OPEC king-pin Saudi Arabia and Russia produce more. The latest US production figures are due to be published by the EIA on Thursday.

Oil prices slip away from 2015 highs, but market remains tight

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Abandoned pipelines pose threat of releasing toxins into North Sea, scientists issue warning

Oil prices slip away from 2015 highs, but market remains tight