Oil Spill

The explosion on the Deepwater Horizon is one of the largest accidental oil spills in history. On April 20th BP’s oil rig exploded while they were drilling. British Petroleum,BP, made many efforts to stop the leak but none worked. Finally on July 15th, they were able to cap it with cement. Workers still continue to find a more permeant fix. They estimate nearly 5 million barrels of oil emerged from the hole. Toxic components from the oil dissolved in the deep ocean water and makes it difficult for scientist to know what all the effects on the Gulf will be. The spill has caused a huge environmental impact to the Gulf. The clean up is extensive and will be a long process. BP wasn't prepared for this and are complexly at fault for this incident.

This widespread spill in the Gulf effected many parts of our environment. A Cornell Lab of Ornithology team found that almost all of the juvenile brown pelicans they saw had at least some oil on them.The oil destroys the waxed layers of a bird and this causes the bird not to be able to keep itself warm. Gulls, pelicans and other birds can experience fatal hypothermia when oil destroys their feathers and keeps them from staying warm. Then birds try to eat more to stay warm, but their ability to feed they sink from their buoyancy decreased by the oil. The birds clean their feathers with their bills, inescapably consuming some oil, this could lead to very serious effects like; ulcers, diarrhea, kidney and liver damage, anemia or death. Breathing in oil can lead to pneumonia, neurological damage and cancer. There is evidence that birds reproductive success is lowered by exposure to even small quantities of unconsumed oil.The seafood industry has taken a huge hit from this summers oil spill. Sea food is a large portion of Louisiana’s economy. Oysters, shrimp and other seafood brings $2.4 billion a year into their coastal economy.  Fish and shellfish are important to the region’s food chain. A lot wildlife relies on them for...