Effects of Oil Spill on Marine Ecosystem

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nOil spills can have adverse effects on many components of the natural ecosystems. The effects of oil to coastal wildlife and marine produce both long-term effects in behavior and short-term impacts of health. Oil petrochemicals negatively affect the life on marine wildlife (Jernelöv, 2010). Oil spills in the marine can alter immune system, developmental or reproductive damages or skin irritations of marine wildlife (Henkel, et al, 2012). Additionally, it can lead to chronic effects such as deformities and direct morbidity of marine life.

nOil causes negative effects on components of the ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, salt marshes and sea mammals. Similarly, it causes adverse effects on sea turtles and fish. Oil pollution causes short-term effects such as mortality to the corals reefs as well as long-term effects (Jernelöv, 2010). Long-term effects include sub-lethal impacts to growth and reproduction. Oil produces serious effect to mangrove stands such as loss of diversity, high rate of mortality, defoliation, phototoxicity, decreased canopy areas and increased sensitivity to stress (Henkel, et al, 2012). Oil spills damages root systems of the vegetation of salt marsh. Oil spills can cause devastating damage to fishery and fishing landing sites as well as mariculture.

nIn addition, it affects the seabirds by direct contact, destruction of food resources or toxic contamination. Sea turtles are susceptible to the effect of oil during the critical periods of development i.e. eggs, post hatchlings, juveniles and adults (Henkel, et al, 2012). Besides, it affects the marine mammals through inhalation, direct contact, disturbances from response activities, ingestion of oil and injury (Jernelöv, 2010). Further, it influences the tourism sector because the recreational sites at the coast are greatly affected.

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nHenkel, Jessica R., Bryan J. Sigel, and Caz M. Taylor. (2012). “Large-Scale Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Can Local Disturbance Affect Distant Ecosystems through Migratory Shorebirds?.” BioScience 62.7.676-685.

nJernelöv, Arne. (2010). “The threats from oil spills: Now, then, and in the future.” Ambio 39.5-6 353-366.