The Effects of Oil Spills on Wildlife and Habitats

The detrimental effects of an oil spill extend far beyond the initial site of contamination. Because of the strong interdependency within an ecosystem, many species of wildlife, both land and aquatic, will be affected. Local and migratory birds, sea turtles, fish and other invertebrates, whales, dolphins, vegetation, and humans usually experience loss of life, health, or habitat during and after a spill.

Disease/Illness

• Oil spills produce numerous health concerns to any animal that comes into direct or indirect contact with the substance. Mammals (whales, manatees), reptiles (sea turtles), and various species of birds that come in direct physical contact with the chemicals can suffer skin and eye lesions or chemical burns. Fish and other invertebrates may experience fin erosion in addition to other ailments. Direct ingestion by any wildlife species commonly results in ulcers, organ damage, immune deficiency, and reproductive failure.

Food Contamination

• The dangerous chemicals distributed in oil spills as well as the thick, slippery substance itself disrupt local and nearby food chains by contaminating food supplies and restricting normal feeding patterns and behaviors. While ingestion of contaminated food or water can be harmful or fatal, oil also poses threats to feeding in other less conspicuous ways. Birds become unable to fly or feed successfully because of matted or sticky feathers. Certain species of toothless whales, which use baleen to capture prey, may become incapable of feeding when oil accumulates in the baleen. In addition, a number of other various ailments caused by oil prevent both land and aquatic wildlife from practicing natural feeding habits.

Reproduction and Offspring

• Animals affected by oil may experience reproductive obstacles because of disease or interference in typical breeding patterns. Exposed birds can experience reductions in egg numbers as well as thinner eggshells, and eggs of fish may die from oil and chemical exposure. Once an animal has been born into the contaminated habitat, it continues to face many dangerous threats. Newly hatched sea turtles, which already face a difficult journey from their nests to their ocean destinations, may encounter contaminated areas that make survival improbable. Infant mammals and birds that rely on insulation (fur or feathers) to keep warm and healthy can experience fatal hypothermia when exposed to oil.

Loss of Habitat

• Oil kills flora and prevents new growth in the water, in marshes, and on beaches. Oil also pollutes soil, starving land vegetation of water and nutrients. It can coat aquatic plants such as seaweed, depriving them of the sunlight needed for photosynthesis. Grasses, weeds, flowers, and shrubs serve as protective cover for wildlife and prevent erosion and land loss. As these plants wither and disappear, so will the surrounding ecosystems that depend on them.