What effects does the oil spill have on the flora and fauna of the sea?

What effects does the oil spill have on the flora and fauna of the sea?

 Oil spills often occur due to accidents during the process of transporting ships, this can cause strong alterations in the marine ecosystem, in the species found in the area and also in the marine flora.

 But, what are the consequences of the oil spill in the sea?  At first, the oil creates a film on the surface, preventing the sun from entering, this prevents the seaweed from carrying out the photosynthesis process.  In addition, the oil if ingested with the species can affect their organs.  And finally, in the long term, the food chain is damaged, since if there are no algae, many species cannot feed and do not survive.

 

AFFECTED SPECIES

 The most affected species are algae and plants, as well as animals that live at the bottom of the sea and birds that are on the surface, other species such as mollusks, mussels, oysters and clams, since they filter the water to feed. causing death by ingesting oil.

The recovery time is a relevant factor during the cleaning process, on certain occasions they can recover faster, but those from the seabed or coastal areas can take up to a century.  It all depends on the penetration of the seabed, into the sand and mud, which takes longer to break down and recover.

 

 

 

 

CLEANING PROCESS

During this process, it is important to act quickly, since it depends on the type of leak to prevent the spread of the stain. The longer the time passes, the more the oil stains expand and the cleaning work gets more complicated.

One of the main tools are the floating containment barriers, since these will prevent it from expanding towards the coast, but if a strong wave occurs, these barriers can be compromised.

When the entire area is controlled, ships with tanks that absorb the oil can be used, and in other cases, some chemicals can be used to collect the crude.

 

 

 

 

Fuentes:

• https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/oilspills.html
• https://www.actualidadambiental.pe/derrame-de-petroleo-en-ventanilla-sus-impactos-ambientales-en-el-mar-y-especies/ 
• https://www.actualidadambiental.pe/derrame-de-petroleo-en-ventanilla-sus-impactos-ambientales-en-el-mar-y-especies/ 
• https://www.bbc.com/mundo/internacional/2010/04/100428_derrame_petroleo_claves_lp