Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on the Environment Essay

The Deepwater Horizon spill occurred on 20 April 2010 and was excited by an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig that killed 11 workers and wound 17 more. The drilling rig, located 66 kilometers southeast of the Louisiana coast, leave an oil gusher that was finally capped on July 15, almost 2 months later. This was the largest unintended marine oil spill in history and the largest offshore environmental disaster in the United States (Telegraph, New York Times, BBC News). It is estimated by scientists that over 4.9 million barrels of oil were released into the ocean, about half of the crude oil the U.S. imports distributively day and worth $400 million (Popular Mechanics, CBC News). About 1070 kilometers of coastline were contaminated. everywhere 47 thousand personnel were deployed, 1.4 million barrels of liquid ravage collected, and $40 billion spent on cleanup. Aerial photo taken in disjuncture of Mexico more than 50 miles southeast of Louisiana exhibit the Deep water Horizon oil rig burning after a pestiferous blowout of an oil well. Credit Gerald Herbert The Gulf of Mexico contains commercially important aquatic biography, including blue crabs, squid, shrimp, and fish. Toxins in the oil can kill these species or cause injuries such as genetic damage, disease, cancer, and reproductive and immune system impairment. devil dog mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds depend on clean, healthy habitats to provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds. The presence of carry through oil in the environment can cause decreased habitat use in the area, altered migration patterns, altered food availability, and disrupted life cycles. Plants affected by the oil could die, eliminating the roots that help bind and change the soil in the ocean floor, leading to erosi... .... Web. 6 November 2011. Gunter, Ford. Explosion could pee Disastrous Business Consequences. Portfolio. Wall Street Horizon, 28 April 2010. Web. 6 November 2011. maam Impact Data and Co nsolidated Wildlife Reports. FWS Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response. U.S. look for & Wildlife Service, n.d. Web. 6 November 2011. Sea Turtles, Dolphins, and Whales and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. Office of Protected Resources. NOAA Fisheries, n.d. Web. 6 November 2011. Gulf Coast Oil Spill One Year Later. Gulf Oil Spill Response. National Parks Conservation Association, n.d. Web. 6 November 2011. British Companies Reputation in the U.S. is Under Threat. The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 14 July 2010. Web. 6 November 2011. David Cameron confronts Barack Obama in Battle to Protect BP. The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 16 June 2010. Web. 6 November 2011.