BP Ecological Effect

The Ecological Effect of the BP Oil Spill on the Environment

Introduction:
The BP oil spill, (also known as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill the BP oil disaster, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and the Macondo blowout) was an oil spill that happened in the Gulf of Mexico on the BP owned and operated Macondo Prospect on April 20, 2010. This oil spill is considered the largest and most devastating oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. The cause of this oil spill according to “the U.S. government's September 2011 report pointed to defective cement on the well, faulting mostly BP, but also the well operator, Transocean, and the contractor, Halliburton.”(1) This caused an explosion that sank the entire
“The spill area hosted 8,332 species, including more than 1,200 fish, 200 birds, 1,400 mollusks, 1,500 crustaceans, 4 sea turtles and 29 marine mammals.” (12) 14 of the species were already protected by the U.S. federal government, and the spill continued to threaten 39 more species. The timing of BP’s oil spill is particularly devastating to the Gulf ecosystem because it is the peak spawning and nesting season for many species of fish, birds, turtles and marine mammals. Many species remain in long-established breeding areas during this time, some of which are in the direct path of the oil spill.”(14) Since the oil contained 40% methane by weight, this created “dead zones” where oxygen is depleted due to the nature of methane. In March 2012, a definitive link between the death of a gulf coral community and the oil spill was proven. “A survey of one site near the well in the Gulf of Mexico uncovered "compelling evidence" of pollution damage. Coral communities more than 1,220 meters (4,000ft) below the surface of the ocean appeared stressed and discolored.” (13) Healthy coral could be found around the outside of a 12 mile radius of the Macondo site, but at sites within the 12 mile radius, coral colonies showed signs of stress, tissue loss, and discoloration. This is a very worrying fact because “Corals and other species at the furthest depths of the ocean often serve as barometers for overall ocean health and are critical components of the food chain.” (17) This means that without one of the key components such as coral, all the organisms that depend on it will be in danger. Other marine organisms were greatly affected by the spill such as fish, aquatic invertebrates and sea mammals. These organisms were affected through surface exposure, ingestion, absorption and, change in the ecosystem. If the species survived the initial exposure, they can lose their ability to protect themselves against disease. Also, fin erosion,