Soil contamination by petroleum in Tabasco, Mexico, and its environmental repercussions

Abstract

At the beginning of the 1960’s, there were 44 oil fields in 13 from the 17 municipalities in Tabasco, Mexico. Currently, new oil deposits are still being discovered, supporting the national economy. However, this benefit has also severe consequences for both the environment and Tabasco’s society. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to analyzer the environmental repercussion of contamination of the soil due to oil spills in this state of México, as well as the use of the input-output analysis to assess the economic impact of the contamination produced by such oil spills. It is important to emphasize that Tabasco’s territory is the main oil supplier in the country, but it is still necessary to think of it in terms of its environmental protection, and to carry out the fight against pollution to protect the soil and have a good management and exploitation through the creation of special programs with a multidisciplinary research team for a proper evaluation of the most sensitive biological communities and apply it to production costs. The one who contaminates pays. In other words, they will have to take full responsibility for the damages caused, and this according to the international law for nature care and social benefit.