How do oil spills harm marine life and ecosystems?
Harms of Oil Spills: Marine Life and Ecosystem
Oil spills can have devastating impacts on marine life and ecosystems in several ways:
Coating and Suffocation:
Oil can coat the feathers of birds and the fur of marine mammals, destroying their insulation and leading to hypothermia, dehydration, and drowning.
Oil can also coat the gills of fish and the bodies of other marine organisms, suffocating them.
Ingestion and Absorption:
Marine animals may ingest oil while grooming or feeding, leading to internal organ damage, poisoning, and starvation.
Oil can also be absorbed through the skin of marine organisms, causing skin irritation, organ failure, and death.
Habitat Destruction:
Oil can smother and destroy sensitive coastal habitats like mangroves, salt marshes, and coral reefs, which are crucial nursery grounds for many marine species.
The toxic chemicals in oil can persist in the environment for years, disrupting the food chain and damaging entire ecosystems.
– Written By Anagani Srilaxmi
