In the majority of cases, a significant amount of marine life dies and those that survive are not safe for consumption. This throws of the balance of local environments and can impact businesses and workers in the fishing, shipping, and tourism industries. An explosion at the site of an exploration well that was being changed into a production well caused the Gulf Coast oil spill.
This triggered an oil leak 5, feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. Sadly, explosions at digging sites can cause small or massive oil leaks. Malfunctioning parts, poor maintenance, and defective products can also trigger oil leaks. The process of extracting oil beneath the seafloor is a complex process that requires properly functioning parts, a competent workforce, and stringent safety regulations.
If a part on a ship, oil rig, or at a well fails, it can cause an oil spill. The companies involved in oil spills have been fined for the environmental and economic damage these accidents have caused. You may have seen sheens on roads or parking lots after a rain. Depending on the circumstances, oil spills can be very harmful to marine birds and mammals and also can harm fish and shellfish. You may have seen dramatic pictures of oiled birds and sea otters that have been affected by oil spills.
Oil destroys the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals, such as sea otters, and the water-repelling abilities of a bird's feathers, thus exposing these creatures to the harsh elements. Many birds and animals also ingest swallow oil when they try to clean themselves, which can poison them. Depending on just where and when a spill happens, from a few up to hundreds or thousands of birds and mammals can be killed or injured.
Once oil has spilled, any of various local, state, and federal government agencies as well as volunteer organizations may respond to the incident, depending on who's needed.
People may use any of the following kinds of tools to clean up spilled oil :. Which methods and tools people choose depends on the circumstances of each event: the weather, the type and amount of oil spilled, how far away from shore the oil has spilled, whether or not people live in the area, what kinds of bird and animal habitats are in the area, and other factors.
Different cleanup methods work on different types of beaches and with different kinds of oil. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Oil Spills. Learn More. Article: Terrestrial oil spill mapping using satellite earth observation and machine learning
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