BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

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    Some of the major ecological consequences

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    ` Oil spill is release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbon

    into the ocean or coastal waters, due to human

    activity mainly sinking or leakage of oil carrying

    vessels or oil pipelines, countries at war, illegaldumping by industries, terrorist activities and

    natural disasters.

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    ` What Caused It? An explosion on the BP (British

    Petroleum) rig on April 20, 2010 caused the rig to

    sink on April 22 and take 11 worker's lives Exact

    cause of the explosion is unknown

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    ` Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico Oil from a pipeline in

    the Gulf Coast is leaking oil into the Gulf of Mexico

    - Rates of leakage range from 5,000 barrels a day

    (BP estimate) to 70,000 barrels a day (Purdueestimate) to 80,000 barrels a day, which would

    make this spill even worse than the Exxon Valdez

    spill in 1989.

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    ` The oil penetrates into the structure of the

    plumage of birds, reducing its insulating ability

    less buoyant in the water impairs birds' flight abilities to forage and escape from

    predators

    birds typically ingest oil that covers their feathers,

    x causing kidney damage,

    x altered liver function, and digestive tract irritation.

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    ` As of November 2, 6,814 dead animals had been

    collected, including 6,104 birds, 609 sea turtles,

    100 dolphins and other mammals, and 1 reptile.

    According to the U.S. Fish andW

    ildlife

    ` All from the Oil Spill

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    ` Oil Doesnt Sink in

    theWater Column

    ` Less Photosynthesis

    ` Phytoplankton are

    essential to the

    Marine Population

    ` Microbial Loop

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