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What happens to oil when it enters the water? Explain how this property of oil contributes to the effects of oil spills in ocean ecosystems.

User Stefan Schmidt
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2 Answers

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8 votes

Final answer:

Oil spills cause oil to float on the water surface due to being less dense and immiscible with water, reducing light and oxygen levels vital for marine life like phytoplankton. The effects include a decrease in biodiversity and net primary productivity, and various cleanup strategies like chemical dispersants and bioremediation are used with varying levels of effectiveness and environmental impact.

Step-by-step explanation:

When oil enters the water, due to its immiscible nature and being less dense than water, it floats on the surface. This phenomenon plays a significant role in the ramifications of oil spills on ocean ecosystems. By coating the surface, oil acts as a barrier, reducing the amount of light and oxygen that can penetrate the water, which can have devastating effects on marine life. Phytoplankton, which form the base of the marine food web and are crucial for oxygen production, may perish because of the lack of light and oxygen. This decrease in phytoplankton can lead to a decline in biodiversity and net primary productivity, impacting the entire marine ecosystem.

Marine animals can also experience reduced mobility and may even die if they come into contact with the oil, further reducing biodiversity. To combat the repercussions of oil spills, certain strategies such as the use of chemical dispersants, controlled burning, skimming, and bioremediation are employed. These methods aim to clean up and minimize the environmental impact of the oil spill, though each comes with its own set of potential environmental trade-offs.

User Rosina
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9 votes
9 votes

Oil is insoluble in water. When oil spills in the ocean it creates great "oil islands". These islands are devoid of nutrientes, oxygen or any compound normally found in water. So they represent a massive perturbation to marine biota. Beside this oil disrupts, and frequently kills, marine fauna, such as water birds, and cetaceans.

User Kenenisa Bekele
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