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Exxon Valdez oil spill more damaging to wildlife finds study mongabay.com May 16, 2006 New evidence suggests that oil from the Exxon Valdez may still causing damage to Alaska’s Prince William Sound, 17 years after the ship ran aground. "This study shows that it is very plausible that exposure to Exxon Valdez oil is having a material impact on many shore-dwelling animals and is contributing to their slow recovery in some parts of Prince William Sound," Short said. "Sea otters, for instance, have yet to re-inhabit Herring Bay, the most oiled bay we studied, and the population of otters elsewhere around northern Knight Island continues to decline. Unfortunately, because much of this oil is buried in beach sediments and not exposed to weathering and other elements that might degrade it, it could remain hazardous to wildlife for decades." On March 24, 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Within six hours of the accident, the Exxon Valdez has spilled roughly 10.9 million gallons of its 53 million gallons of crude, making it the largest oil spill in U.S. history. The oil would eventually impact over 1,100 miles of non-continuous coastline in Alaska and at the height of the response, more than 11,000 personnel, 1,400 vessels and 85 aircraft were involved in the cleanup according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
The findings are based on a survey of 662 pits randomly dug along 32 stretches of shoreline on northern Knight Island, one of the first affected areas during the spill. The researchers found Exxon Valdez oil at 14 of the 32 sites. The researchers conclude that sea otters would be most affected by oil when they dig pits in search of clams and other prey. Short estimates that in a given year, a sea otter would probably come into contact with Exxon Valdez oil at least once every two months. This suggests that the Exxon Valdez oil spill could still be taking a toll on wildlife Overall, in the immediate aftermath of the spill, scientists estimate that thousands of animals died. According to Wikipedia, some 250,000 sea birds, 2,800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, up to 22 orcas, and billions of salmon and herring eggs perished immediately. This article is based on a press release fromthe American Chemical Society. News index | RSS | Add to MyYahoo! Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
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