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Oil is "acutely lethal" to fish - that is, it kills fish quickly, at a concentration of 4000 parts per million [25] (0.4%). The toxicity of petroleum related products threaten human health. Many compounds found in oil are highly toxic and can cause cancer (carcinogenic) as well as other diseases. [23]
Oil spills provided perfect opportunities for scientists to examine the in situ effects of crude oil exposure to marine ecosystems, and collaborative efforts between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Coast Guard resulted in improved response efforts and detailed research on oil pollution's effects. [5]
The carcinogens of concern in crude oil are benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are present in oil and in the air as a result of offshore controlled burning of crude oil. [10] During the 2010 BP/Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill, an estimated one of every 20 barrels of spilled oil was deliberately burned off.
An oiled gannet seabird getting the oil washed off.. Most of the impact was on the marine species. Eight U.S. national parks were threatened [4] and more than 400 species that live in the Gulf islands and marshlands are at risk, including the endangered Kemp's ridley turtle, the green turtle, the loggerhead turtle, the hawksbill turtle, and the leatherback turtle.
However, low-grade, long-term inflammation, known as chronic inflammation, increases the risk of diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, allergies and some types of cancer, to name a few.
The oil can also affect the eggs laid by affected females, often resulting in embryonic death or low birth weight. [2] 5-20 microliters of oil can kill embryos if the egg comes into contact. [1] Eggs laid prior to an oil spill can also become damaged if an affected animal sits on the nest. [4]
Oil depletion is the decline in oil production of a well, oil field, or geographic area. [1] The Hubbert peak theory makes predictions of production rates based on prior discovery rates and anticipated production rates.
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