1. Oil Spill Effects on Environment and Wildlife

2. Types of Oil Oils can be grouped into types of oil
The five types of oil:
Very Light Oils
Light Oils
Medium Oils
Heavy Oils
Very Heavy Oils

3. Types of Oil con’t
Many types of oil spills effect the environment differently
Not all oil spills are in the oceans and seas
Oil spills can spill on land and reach rivers, lakes, and wetlands

4. Physical Aspects of Spilled Oil
The rate that oil spreads determines its effects on the environment
Slicks
Abilities of Oil Spills Include:
Surface Tension
Specific Gravity
Viscosity

5. Spilled Oil’s Fate
Natural actions occuring in aquatic environments reduce severity of spill
Actions Include:
Weathering
Evaporation
Oxidation
Biodegradation
Emulsification

6. Movement of Potential Oil Spills

7. Freshwater vs. Saltwater
Natural actions occur differently in freshwater than in saltwater and vice versa
Freshwater impacts are more severe
Oil can also interact with sediments at the bottom of freshwater environments

8. Effects on Wildlife
Each oil spill has a different effect on wildlife and the environment depending on certain factors
Spills effect not only humans, but also:
fish,
birds,
other mammals,
invertebrates,
as well as their habitat

9. Invertebrates and Fish Effected
Invertebrates can be directly effected
The toxic effects of oil on invertebrates can be acute as in lethal and chronic as in sub-lethal
Bottom dwellers can be particularly effected
Fish can directly uptake the toxic sludge via their gills

10. Birds and Mammals Effected
Unfortunately, birds and marine mammals will not necessarily avoid oil spills
Harm can come in many forms:
Physical Contact
Toxic Contamination
Destruction of Food and Habitat
Reproductive Problems

11. Habitats Effected Most toxic substances are limited to the spill zone
Harm to the habitat usually harms 1+ species in a food chain
Oil spills as well as cleanup operations can harm habitats
Oil has the potential to stay in the environment for long periods of time

12. Types of Habitats
Types of habitats that can be effected by oil spills:
Coral Reefs
Exposed Sand, Gravel, Cobble Beaches
Sheltered Beaches
Tidal Flats
Salt Marshes
Mangrove Forests
Marshes and Swamps
Standing Bodies of Water
River Habitats

13. Food Chain
Oil spills effect the food chain, which eventually reaches humans

14. Responsibility?
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal agency responsible for many of the nation’s fish and wildlife resources. Having this responsibility has established the agency as one of the primary trustees for fish, wildlife, and habitat at oil spills.”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Article