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How Does an Oil Spill Affect Life?

Oil spills are detrimental in many more ways than it would initially seem. Its effect on life is multifaceted and far-reaching, beyond the harm caused to marine life. As evidenced by the defective BP oil well that spilled gallons upon gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, virtually all areas of life are impacted.

  1. Marine Life

    • All have seen the pictures of oil-soaked birds and fish, but an oil spill has a detrimental ripple effect of sorts. Marine ecosystems, while resilient, are quite delicate and the slightest thing may throw them off balance, creating an adverse chain reaction. Trouble is, oil spills aren't slight in nature, and sometimes recovery can take years. To make things even more complicated, some ecosystems recover better if the cleanup is not as aggressive.

    Human Health

    • The most profound effects on humans are felt on the front lines of the spill and those who are doing the cleanup. According to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on the Exxon Valdez oil spill, symptoms of oil exposure include eye pain, headaches, vomiting and throat irritation. Indirect effects are felt as well, depending on the location and severity of the spill.

    Economy

    • Just as the ecosystems in the water suffer an adverse chain reaction from oil spills, such environmental disasters also have a profound economic impact. Oil prices can go up if the spill is of a large enough magnitude where billions of gallons of oil are lost. Plus, the cleanup itself is costly, with the BP spill costing upward of $12.5 billion. Lastly, oil spills result in lost income in the fishing industry for both fishermen and restaurants alike.

    Drilling

    • If the oil spill occurs in an underwater well, then new locations will have to be found for more drilling, which is a risky proposition. New ecosystems will be put at risk, and workers in the oil industry will be displaced. Plus, it's sometimes paradoxical when looking for adequate locations for drilling. For instance, the most profitable location is not always the safest.

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