Final answer:
Oil spills can harm the environment and wildlife by coating the water's surface, suffocating and poisoning marine animals, and contaminating the ecosystem. They also pose a threat to human health and livelihoods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oil spills can have numerous negative effects on the environment and wildlife. One major problem is the coating of the water's surface, which prevents sunlight from reaching submerged plants and phytoplankton, disrupting the food chain. The spilled oil can also suffocate or poison marine animals, birds, and other wildlife, causing mass deaths and long-term ecosystem damage. Additionally, the toxic chemicals in oil can contaminate the water, soil, and air, posing a threat to human health and livelihoods.