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Oil spills have a major effect on animals and plant life. There are two main ways that oil affects flora and fauna: the oil itself does damage and the cleanup operations can also have negative consequences for wildlife. It’s important to understand both types of situations so that responders can minimize the total impact of an oil spill.
How Oil Affects Wildlife
When oil is spilled, living things are harmed by the chemical constituents in the oil. To the wildlife, these chemicals are poisonous. Oil can affect animals and plants in a variety of ways, including if it’s ingested or inhaled, and even via external exposure, such as skin or eye irritation. Oil can also smother certain types of small species, like specific types of fish and birds. The oil also coats feathers and fur, which reduces the animal’s ability to regulate their body temperature.
Creatures That are Affected by Oil Spills
Aside from fish, birds, sea turtles and other marine life, coral reefs and mangroves are also affected by oil. Most oil will float, which means that the creatures that are primarily affected by a spill are the ones at the surface of the ocean and on the shorelines. This includes seabirds, sea otters, snails and clams. Often, seabirds are the most harmed animals during oil spills and they’re often killed in a higher number than other types of creatures. Sea otters are also harmed by oil because they can only stay warm if their fur is clean. The impact depends on where the oil is and if it’s on the shoreline for an extended period of time.
Caring for Oil-Affected Wildlife
Each type of living entity has to be cared for in a specific way in order to preserve it. Many states have regulations that have to be followed when there’s an oil spill. People who are not trained shouldn’t try to capture or help an animal that’s covered in oil. Usually, there’s an animal rehabilitation center setup at United States oil spills. For more about the oil industry, check out Sentry Energy.
Different Types of Oil
Since different oils behave in their own way, the type of oil that was spilled plays a role in keeping the ecosystem in tact. There are two primary types of oils: light and heavy.
Fuel oils, including diesel fuel and gasoline, are considered light oils. That means that these oils are volatile and evaporate quickly. They don’t remain in a marine environment for a long time, usually no more than a few days. When the oil spreads out in the water, it evaporates quickly.
Heavy oils, which include the oil that’s used to fuel ships, are black and often sticky. These oils can stay in the environment anywhere from several months to a few years. These oils are more persistant, but less toxic, than light oils.
The main concern after an oil spill has occurred is preserving the ecological community as much as possible.
