of hydrocarbons and production of marine photoplankton.
The environmental group, Space for Species (2005:1-4) has delineated many of the effects of oil pollution on the marine environment. These are said to include:
1. Subtle changes in marine animals behavior.
2. Toxic effects which can lead to suffering and/or death as well as affect the marine population's long term health.
3. Oiling effects on birds which can lead to drowning, poisoning, and toxic damage to organs of marine animals as well as a decline or decrease in their ability to reproduce. Effects can also include irritation or ulceration of the skin, eyes, mouth or nasal cavities, and loss of flight from oil matted feathers.
4. For marine mammals (e.g., sea otters, sea lions, seals, walruses, sea cows, dolphins, porpoises and whales), the effects of oil pollution can range from hypothermia resulting in metabolic shock, poisoning and toxic effects to, through ingestion of oil, congested lungs, damaged airways, and gastrointestinal ulceration and hemorrhaging. Even the polar bear which, while not a marine mammal, has been found to be susceptible to the effects of oil pollution due to such factors such as contaminated food supplies and loss of insulation from the cold.
5. While fish, molluscs, and crustaceans are the least harmed by oil pollution, in the long-term, they can suffer a number of non-lethal effects including reduced rates of reproduction, loss of stamina, difficult respiration, and altered feeding habits. Also, oil seepage into shallow or confined waters, can cause fish eggs, larvae, and juveniles to suffer from various problems. Further, the eggs themselves may not hatch or may be totally destroyed, especially when the water is not very deep. In addition, fish absorb oil through their gills and accumulate it in the liver, stomach and gall bladder. While eventually they can cleanse themselves of contaminants, they are for a given period of...