Oil spills and its danger!

What does oil do?

Oil is a product that we often use to keep warm, can cause hypothermia in marine animals. As oil mixes with water, it forms a substance called "mousse," which sticks to feathers and fur.
example:
A bird's feathers are filled with air spaces that act as insulation and keeps the bird warm. When a bird gets coated with oil, the feathers lose their insulating ability and the bird could die of hypothermia.

Effects of oil spill:

The effects of an oil spill depend on a variety of factors, including the weather and other environmental conditions, the composition of the oil and how close it gets to shore. But here are some ways an oil spill can impact marine life

1)Poisoning and Internal Damage
Animals can be poisoned or suffer internal damage from ingesting oil. Effects include ulcers and damage to red blood cells, kidneys, liver and to the immune system.

2)Increased Predation
Oil can weigh down feathers and fur, making it difficult for birds and pinnipeds to escape from predators. If they are covered with enough oil, birds or pinnipeds may actually drown.

3）Decreased Reproduction
Oil spills can effect the eggs of marine life such as fish and sea turtles

4）Fouling of Habitat
Oil spills in the can effect ocean habitat, both offshore and onshore.

AN EXAMPLE OF A SEVERE OIL SPILL!!!
- The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill

The oil tanker Exxon Valdez spilled an estimated 10.8 million gallons of crude oil into the waters of Prince William Sound. Hundreds of thousands of birds, fish and animals died right away! The Exxon Valdez oil spill is considered one of the worst human-caused marine environmental disasters ever to occur.