Impact of Oil Spills on Ecosystems

In 1969, an oil spill near West Falmouth, Massachusetts, released 200,000 gallons of oil, affecting the local ecosystem. Despite appearing to recover, the marshes still contain oil decades later. Studies by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution highlight the long-term environmental impact and the importance of keeping oil out of low-energy environments like marshes. The spill led to a collapse in local wildlife and a ban on shellfish harvesting. While oil is biodegradable, some components resist degradation, posing ongoing environmental and health risks. The Gulf of Mexico faces similar challenges, but its warmer climate aids faster natural remediation.

What was the primary reason the West Falmouth oil spill became a significant study site?

• The immediate recovery of the local ecosystem

• Its proximity to a major city

• The large amount of oil spilled

• Its closeness to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Why is it crucial to prevent oil from entering coastal marshes?

• Marsh sediments trap oil, causing long-term damage

• Oil in marshes can be easily cleaned

• Marshes are high-energy environments

• Oil in marshes evaporates quickly

What was one of the visible effects of the oil spill on the local ecosystem?

• Increase in bird population

• Collapse of the shellfish population

• Growth of new plant species

• Improvement in water quality

How long has shellfish harvesting been banned in the area affected by the West Falmouth spill?

• 10 years

• 20 years

• Over 40 years

• 30 years

What factor contributes to faster natural remediation of oil in Louisiana compared to West Falmouth?

• Colder climate

• Lower nutrient levels

• Higher biological activity

• Less microbial presence

Why is it difficult to predict the impact of one oil spill based on another?

• Ecosystems and oil compositions vary

• Oil spills are always in the same location

• The effects of oil spills are immediate and short-term

• All oil spills have the same chemical composition

What is a potential health risk associated with degraded oil?

• Immediate respiratory failure

• Protocarcinogens linked to cancer

• Increased oxygen levels

• Enhanced immune response

What is one reason some oil components resist biodegradation in the Wild Harbor Marsh?

• Unknown environmental factors

• Lack of microbial activity

• Excessive sunlight

• High temperatures

What role do fiddler crabs play in the marsh ecosystem affected by oil?

• They prevent plant growth

• They spread the oil further

• They help oxygenate the soil

• They consume the oil

What is a major lesson learned from the West Falmouth oil spill regarding oil pollution?

• Oil pollution is always visible

• Oil can persist in the environment for decades

• Out of sight, out of mind is a valid approach

• Oil pollution has no long-term effects