Oil spills happen often when liquid petroleum is accidentally spilled into the environment. Industrial accidents, drilling rigs, vehicles and ships cause these spills. The effects of oil spills can be severe for people, plants, and animals.
There are different types of oil, and they have damaging effects on wildlife. One of the worst effects is when oil reaches the water’s surface, which can kill marine life.
Another effect is that the oil can coat birds’ wings, which prevents them from flying and destroys their feathers’ insulating capabilities. Birds can then die of hypothermia.
Oil can also affect the immune system, and the toxic chemical compounds found in oil can cause cancer. In addition, it can also impair digestion. Cleaning up a spill quickly is paramount. For more details on Spill Kits, contact a site like hydepark-environmental.com
Another aspect of oil spills is that they change the salinity levels. The water in the affected area can become unfit for human consumption. Also, the air may become polluted. Nitric oxides, which are gases, can lower air quality.
The effects of oil spills can last for decades; however, the most visible impacts are immediately noticeable. Depending on the spill’s size, the damage can vary from very minimal to highly severe.
Animals such as seabirds and marine mammals, like dolphins and whales, are especially prone to the harmful effects of oil. Sea otters, for instance, can be blinded by exposure to oil.
Other animals, including frogs, snakes, and fish, can also be damaged by an oil spill. Some species of fish are susceptible to destructive impacts.
