Effects of Oil Spills, An oil spill can have a major impact on the economy in coastal areas. The fishing industry can be heavily affected by an oil spill. Valuable fishing areas maybe closed down for any period of time if an oil spill occurs. Petroleum contaminants, if consumed, pose a significant threat to human health, so when an oil spill occurs fish and shellfish must be cleared by health authorities before they are deemed safe for human consumption. Fisheries can even be affected indirectly when consumers are unwilling to buy fish from regions affected by an oil spill. Tourism can also be affected by an oil spill. During an oil spill the shoreline can be contaminated, causing coastal recreation to become restricted. Oil can also damage the gear on a boat. This can lead to a significant loss of profit to people who benefit financially from coastal tourism and recreation. Even industries that are not close to the coast can be affected by an oil spill. Some industries depend on clean water for cooling purposes, such as nuclear plants. If these facilities get oil into their water tank it would lead to the contamination of the piping system, resulting in the plant having to shut down to clean out its piping system Health Oil spills do not only put animals at risk, but also humans. A person’s health can be affected when touching or breathing oil products. Consuming fish or shellfish that is contaminated with oil can pose a serious negative effect on human health. However, fish and shellfish that is tainted with oil usually tastes very bad and thus will generally be avoided by consumers (Global Marine Oil Pollution Information Gateway). Wildlife Oil harms wildlife through toxic contamination or physical contact. Toxic contamination usually occurs when an animal ingests or inhales oil. This can lead to reproductive problems, trouble digesting, and damage to the central nervous system, liver, and lungs. Physical contact is when oil come in contact with an animal’s fur or feathers. When physical contact occurs with a bird’s feathers, it destroys the protective layer and can also clog the feathers, making it impossible for the bird to fly or float. Even a small amount of oil on a bird’s feathers can kill it. Physical contact with oil can also have a deadly effect on mammals. Oil affects mammal’s ability to insulate themselves, which can lead to hyperthermia and death. Any animal can be affected by breathing in the dangerous hydrocarbons left on the water’s surface from the oil (Global Marine Oil Pollution Information Gateway). Marine environment Oil spills affect every ecosystem differently. Marshes are possibly the ecosystem most sensitive to oils spills, while rocky cliffs and seawalls are less sensitive. Also, the characteristics of the spill and the conditions of the area affect how great of a toll an oil spill will have on the ecosystem (Global Marine Oil Pollution Information Gateway). Some of these characteristics include the type of spillage, the quantity of oil, and the effects of tidal waves (Dartmouth). For instance, oil remains in the water longer at colder temperatures because of low evaporation rates. Oil is also able to travel to longer distances in colder temperatures because the frozen ground prevents the oil from seeping in. Even though the condition of the oil spill can affect the damage that is done to the area, there is not a correlation between the amount of oil spilled and the damage that is done. For example, a 10-ton spill in the Baltic Sea killed more than 60,000 long-tailed ducks, while a spill of about 40,000 tons in Alaskan waters only killed about 30,000 seabirds. The recovery time after an oil spill is also different for every ecosystem. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to twenty years before an area is fully recovered. Recovery occurs more rapidly in warmer climates than it does in cooler climates We are anonymous We are  Legion We are your neighbors We are the mailman We are the truth that's hiding in the dark We are the last Stand for humanity But we are no one and together we are ANONYMOUS EXPECT  us Sign petition @ https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/ dakota access pipeline Now you have no excuse. Take action https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/peti... 1. Call North Dakota governor Jack Dalrymple at 701-328-2200. When leaving a message stating your thoughts about this subject please be professional. 2. Sign the petition to the White House to Stop DAPL: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/…/stop-construction… 3. Donate to support the Standing Rock Sioux at http://standingrock.org/…/standing-rock-sioux-tribe…/ 4. Donate items from the Sacred Stone Camp Supply List: http://sacredstonecamp.org/supply-list/ 5. Call the White House at (202) 456-1111 or (202) 456-1414. Tell President Obama to rescind the Army Corps of Engineers’ Permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline. 6. Contribute to the Sacred Stone Camp Legal Defense Fund: https://fundrazr.com

• published: 01 Nov 2016
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