(birds die in the oily waters as they cant fly out of them )
(affected marine animals dying )
(oil spill )
Question 1 : Why are scientists worried about the oil spill reaching the marshes?
Answer 1 : If marshes die, that could remove a key natural barrier that takes the punch out of waves before they hit Louisiana's fast-eroding coast.( Joel )
Question 2 : Explain how some of the marine and wildlife has been affected by the oil spill.
Answer 2 : Since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster began on April 20, rescue teams have brought in about 1,000 birds from oil covered Gulf waters. However that number, experts say, represents only about 10% of the number of animals believed to have been killed in the BP oil slick, which now covers approximately 3,000 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico's surface.More than 300 birds are being caught every day, many of whom do not survive, despite rescue efforts.
Question 3 : Suggest which industries may be affected by the oil spill and explain how?
Answer 3 : It will affect many food and tourism industries such as Oystert industry and many seafood industries.
Effects of oil spills
When oil is spilled or leaked into in waterways and the ocean, it spreads very quickly with the help of wind and currents. A single gallon of oil can create an oil slick up to a couple of acres in size! The BP oil slick had spread over 580 square miles in just three days.
When oil starts mixing in water, it can change composition and becomes what's known as "mousse". This is a sticky substance that clings even more to whatever it comes in contact with. Many marine animals don't know to avoid a slick and some fish may even be attracted to it as it can resemble food.
Some of the many effects on animals coming into contact with crude oil include:
- hypothermia and drowning of birds as the oil breaks down the insulating capabilities of feathers, makes them heavier and compromises flying ability
- hypothermia in some seal pups as the oil destroys insulating fur
- if oil is ingested, it can either poison the animal outright, make them extremely sick or create a level of toxins in their system that then causes poisoning further up the food chain. Birds and other animals often ingest oil when trying to clean themselves. Shellfish and corals are particularly at risk in these scenarios as they cannot escape from an oil slick.
- damage to the airways of birds and animals.
- damage to animal immune systems
- interruption of breeding and fouling of breeding grounds
- thinner bird and turtle egg shells and also damage to fish larvae, causing deformities
- damage to sea grass beds and other shelter/feeding areas
- tainting of algae, which perform a vital role in waterway ecosystems
Even once the oil appears to have dissipated, it can still lurk beneath the surface of beaches and the sea bed, severely affecting marine organisms that burrow, such as crabs, for literally decades. These burrowing creatures are also food for other animals, so the cycle of poisoning continues for many years.
There's really no aspect of a marine and coastal environment that is not in some way adversely affected by an oil spill. The closer the spill occurs to the shoreline, the more pronounced the damage will be due to coastal zones being home to more concentrated and diverse populations of marine, bird and animal life than far out to sea.
Question 4 : Put yourself in the position of the marine and wildlife that have been affected.How would you feel?
Answer 4 : If i were one of the marine/wildlife animals i would have felt terrified as the oil spill would have destroyed my nest and the place where i live. It would have killed many other birds and marine animals which would bring shortage of food for me and it might even cause extinction of some animals.It will cause massive death of many animals .
Question 5 :What do you think your role is in conserving the environment?
Answer 5 : When we use the environment as a waste dump, we take away land from wildlife, pollute the environment, and deplete natural resources. One way people are doing their part to protect the environment is adopting the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Waste Program. The 3R program reduces the amount of garbage going into landfills thereby protecting and conserving our environment.
Reduce: People reduce by purchasing items that are durable and last a long time. By purchasing long lasting products with very little packaging, you will decrease the amount of waste entering a landfill. Other ways of reducing waste include:
Buying products that don’t require a lot of energy and resources to manufacture. Look for products that contain environmentally friendly packaging. – Reduce car use by riding your bicycle, carpooling with friends, walking, or taking the bus.
Composting is a great way to dispose of kitchen waste. It’s healthy for the soil and less waste will go into the landfill.
Turn off lights that you’re not using them and use energy efficient light bulbs.
Turn off the taps when brushing your teeth.
Reducing will help with conservation efforts and decrease landfill waste and energy use. Reducing results in less pollution and a cleaner environment. It also helps conserve natural resources.
Reuse: You can reduce waste by reusing products. Reusing methods include repairing damaged items, donating items to a worthy cause, or finding another way to use them. Some reusing tips include:
Use cloth grocery bags instead of plastic bags. They can be used repeatedly.
Use reusable lunch bags.
Metal cans and plastic containers can be used for storing items.
Donate old clothes, furniture, and toys to a charity.
Use silverware and dishes instead of plastic utensils and plates.
Store food in reusable plastic containers.
Another way to reuse is to hire a junk removal service. Except for hazardous materials, junk removal companies will come and remove just about any type of waste. This includes furniture, appliances, electronics, and construction refuse. Many junk removal businesses donate items to charities, repair items, and recycle.
Recycling: This process involves making new products out of old products. This means potential landfill waste becomes a new product. You can protect the environment by buying products that contain recycled materials. Many of the things we use every day are recycled. Recycled products include: paper towels, toilet paper, paper bags, beverage bottles and cans, milk cartons, and much more. Most products have the recycle label on the package.
