ARTIFACT #2: Causes & Effects

CAUSES

Offshore oil leakage during oil extraction

o
Production: mishandling and improper
storing of oil from offshore wells
o
Flowlines, underwater pipelines, or
tankers make an error when transferring
oil from underwater
Equipment faults
o
Holes in tankers releasing oil into water
bodies
Careless use and disposal of oil and oil products

EFFECTS

Damages to Animals
o
Marine Birds
Unable to fly
Hindrance in gathering food
Death by hypothermia
o
Sea Turtles
Ingestion of oil, damages internal
organs
o
Marine Mammals
Surface breathing, damages to
internal organs
Consumption of oil-poisoned fish
Damages to Plants
o
Oil floats on water surface and blocks
sunlight and gaseous exchange

o
o

Lack of photosynthetic activity diminishes

oxygen levels for small animals
Death of plants leaves an unsuitable habitat
for animals