Sea birds are one of the most affected animals by oil contamination. A dime size drop of oil can kill a bird. They are often poisoned by it through consumption, or unable to peen their feathers leading to hypothermia or hyperthermia.
Otters are covered by the oil, causing a buildup in their air bubbles and dangerously low body temperatures.
Whales die because the oil plugs up their blowhole.
Smaller ocean organisms are affected by oil as well. Off-shore accidents are usually the cause of death for animals such as plankton, larva fish, and bottom dwelling organisms. If oil reaches shorelines it affects sediments like sand and gravel causing erosion and contamination. Contaminated sand and gravel become unable to protect and nurture vegetation and biomass. Rocks and boulders coated with oil can interfere with recreational uses of shoreline. Commercial fishing can also be permanently effected by an oil spill.
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/oil_spills.htm
http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Oc-Po/Oil-Spills-Impact-on-the-Ocean.html
This is terrible. How can a dime size of oil come to kill a bird? You think it wouldn't only because it is so small but that is very interesting to know.
ReplyDeleteI know its very interesting and I believe people should do something about it.
Deleteyou make a really good point. oil is killing the ocean. I know there has been a lot of debate politically and economically about oil spills and what they are trying to do to stop it. It is too bad the government can't come up with a plan that works.
ReplyDeleteknowing this can happen what is there we can do to protect them from getting hurt?
ReplyDeleteSomething needs to be done about these oil spills? Do the companies get punished in anyway?
ReplyDeleteI believe people should do something about this oil spills are such a negative thing. it just doesn't effect the people but animals as well.
ReplyDelete