My distinguished padlet by https://padlet.com/mscheidl/OilSpills Made with whimsy en-us 2016-07-20 13:34:04 UTC 2016-07-22 15:39:40 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Xmastree.png OIL SPILLS: AN INTRODUCTION mscheidl https://padlet.com/mscheidl/OilSpills/wish/116695115 By now, everyone is familiar with the term "oil spill." They usually occur in water and are usually highly publicized. You may remember the "BP Oil Spill" of 2010, which we will be discussing as an extension to this exercise. It's generally understood that oil spills are very harmful to a marine environment, but how exactly? That's what we will be exploring today. 

Answer the questions below by clicking the  "+" in the bottom right corner.

Questions:
1. What is the government's protocol when an oil spill occurs?
2. Which animals are affected and how?
3. What about the 2010 BP spill was specifically controversial?

I encourage you to comment on others' posts to ask questions, agree with, or dispute a fact. You may use informal language while being respectful.

Don't forget to site your credible sources.

10 points extra credit will be given to those who include an original video, voice note, etc. to their response.

Watch the video below before beginning:]]> 2016-07-20 13:35:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mscheidl/OilSpills/wish/116695115 Oil Spills https://padlet.com/mscheidl/OilSpills/wish/116783535 1. From what I have researched, it seems as though the government focuses on the prevention of oil spills from occurring.  Those who cause pollution or create an oil spill may suffer from federal penalties in the form of fines.  With federal regulations, the implementation of training drills as well as instruction regarding the proper care of vessels and transportation is crucial. (Link: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/training-and-education/education-students-and-teachers/who-takes-care-problem.html)

2. Many animals are affected by oil spills.  Sea organisms, like fish and crabs, are affected because of the oil that fills into the water and then into their bodies.  Birds are affected tremendously because the oil seeps in between their feathers throughout their bodies. If not cleaned properly, the birds can die due to the toxicity of the oil.
 
3. The 2010 BP oil spill was very controversial because it really affected and had a huge impact on the lives of many people.  Since 2010, the video states that BP has paid over 13 million dollars in "claims, advances, and settlements" to those that were affected by the spill.  The video goes on to show how many people lost their source of income because the oil spill ruined their job opportunities, like fishing, for example. 

~Uma Mahalingam]]> 2016-07-21 22:33:15 UTC https://padlet.com/mscheidl/OilSpills/wish/116783535 Marine Life and Oil Spills kbraun11 https://padlet.com/mscheidl/OilSpills/wish/116821661 1. When faced with an oil spill, the first thing that the US does is assess the site. They investigate the site to determine the appropriate response. These responses may include removing the substance in soil or containers, burning or treating the substance. They may also drain waste ponds or repair disposal pits, as well as use chemicals to stop the spread. They may encase the substance to prevent movement, as well as relocate or provide drinking water to people. They may also install fences to keep people away. With oil spills in particular, they often use dispersants which breaks the oil up. Thy also treat the oil slicks with special bacteria that break down oil. However, the US tries to use these only as an emergency measure. The US prefers to put an emphasis on prevention over response to emergencies.

 

2. Oil Spills, like the BP Oil Spill, negatively impact the Marine ecosystem. The effect of oil spills on marine life comes from both the spill and from the cleanup of the spill. The reason that oil spills are so dangerous are because oil is composed of chemicals that are poisonous, and this means that ingesting, inhaling, and external exposure can negatively impact animals and plants. Oil is known to smother small fish and invertebrates, and coats feathers and fur which reduces the ability to maintain body temperatures. Heavy Oils are generally less toxic, but they are more likely to smother animals. Light oils usually evaporate rapidly, and can ignite or explode. They are also much more toxic to animals and plants. Most animals affected by oil spills are those that tend to be on the surface of the water. Seabirds and Sea Otters are two big classes of animals negatively impacted by oil spills. Sea otters won't be able to stay warm if oil remains in their fur.

 

3. The BP Oil spill was controversial for several reasons, however, the most important factor in the controversy over the spill is that it could have been prevented. The spill occurred because of negligence of several different parties, many of which could have stopped the spill’s occurrence by being more mindful. The well in which they were drilling had a high likelihood of blowout, and this coupled with negligence on part of the Halliburton corporation as well as the Transocean employees, created the US’s largest disaster. The Halliburton corporation pushed for the use of a Nitrogen infused cement mix to form the plug. This Nitrogen infused cement mix is known to have several flaws, and despite this, they used it anyway. The second major failing was that the Transocean employees did not do anything about several anomalous readings that they saw. Instead, they considered these readings as faulty and left them as they were. The BP Oil spill could not be closed off, and the amount of crude oil that flooded the Gulf of Mexico negatively impacted millions of lives, and could have been easily prevented. 

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4133038/

http://www.wsj.com/articles/investigators-fault-blowout-preventer-in-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-1401984643

https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/epas-response-techniques

http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills/how-oil-harms-animals-and-plants-marine-environments.html
Kimberly Braun

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