Gulf Oil Spill
The Gulf of Mexico along the Louisiana coast has experienced countless oil spills but unlike those BP’s oil spewed directly from the bottom of the ocean. It is difficult to accurately determine the complete extent of the damage caused by the oil spill because data on the condition of the environment in that area before the disaster is lacking. Even now the effect on organisms such as those in deep-water marine communities is hard to determine. But one thing is certain; the oil spill impacted every level of the complex environment that is the Gulf of Mexico.
There are some marine organisms, such as bacteria, tubeworms, and mussels, that have been able to adapt to living where the oil and gas seeps through but other animals such a endangered sperm whales that dive to the area to feed are put at risk due to the oil. Closer to the surface more animals come into contact with the oil. Plankton and fish larvae swim on the same level as seaweed beds. Theses seaweed beds, or sargassum, provide a habitat to snails, shrimp, and crabs. Sea turtles, tuna and dolphins feed on theses animals. Sea birds such as …show more content…
Fish can inhale oil through their gills causing cardiac and respiration issues. Enlarged livers and reduced growth in adult fish have also been noticed. (NOAA) On coastal environments, oil can coat plants preventing photosynthesis.
The effect on coastal environments such as beaches, marshes, and mud flats was catastrophic. According to the national commission tasked with analyzing the oil spill 650 miles of coastal habitat were affected. About 130 miles of this area was described as being moderately to heavily oiled. Clean up of these areas can be difficult as the oil can seep deep down into sand and silt and remain there for
There are some marine organisms, such as bacteria, tubeworms, and mussels, that have been able to adapt to living where the oil and gas seeps through but other animals such a endangered sperm whales that dive to the area to feed are put at risk due to the oil. Closer to the surface more animals come into contact with the oil. Plankton and fish larvae swim on the same level as seaweed beds. Theses seaweed beds, or sargassum, provide a habitat to snails, shrimp, and crabs. Sea turtles, tuna and dolphins feed on theses animals. Sea birds such as …show more content…
Fish can inhale oil through their gills causing cardiac and respiration issues. Enlarged livers and reduced growth in adult fish have also been noticed. (NOAA) On coastal environments, oil can coat plants preventing photosynthesis.
The effect on coastal environments such as beaches, marshes, and mud flats was catastrophic. According to the national commission tasked with analyzing the oil spill 650 miles of coastal habitat were affected. About 130 miles of this area was described as being moderately to heavily oiled. Clean up of these areas can be difficult as the oil can seep deep down into sand and silt and remain there for