The Effects of Oil Spills on Wildlife

Oil spills damage local wildlife, who usually respond negatively to the toxicity of oil. Damage to one species often has a domino effect that disrupts entire food chains.

Indirect Consequences

• Most of the effects of oil spills on wildlife are health related, which can manifest directly or indirectly. An indirect consequence affects something such as a source of food or the habitat of an animal, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Direct Consequences

• Oil sticks to the feathers and coats of birds and coastal land animals, reducing the insulating effects of feathers and the ability to fly. Fish eggs are more susceptible to oil toxicity than adult marine life. Adult fish are likely to move closer to oil slicks due to the higher amount of shade from predators. Oil more likely taints fish we use for consumption rather than kills them.

Toxicity

• Oil spills affect each animal species differently. However, oil consumption is toxic to a majority of animals. The most serious damage occurs to animals that can't easily migrate away from spills.

Misconceptions

• Most of the effects of oil spills do not come from oil tankers nor do they always happen at sea, reports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; pipe leaks account for roughly half of all spilled oil.

Famous Spills

• People often note the Exxon-Valdez spill in 1989 as the most well known oil spill. Sarah Graham of "Scientific American" reports that 250,000 seabirds and 2,000 sea otters died within days of the spill.