Consequences of Spills Can Last for Decades

Summary: The oil from the spill in the Gulf of Mexico is beginning to seep closer towards the U.S. and environmental scientists are saying that it could have ecological and biological consequences for years and many years to come. The ocean is a major source of food and a home for hundreds of differents species. The affects of the oil could be devistating for humans as well as other animals that depend on the intricate ecosystem for survival. Scientists say that the oil is likely to persist because the marshes don't form many waves and the soil is oxygen poor. It may not cause a huge problem at first but in twenty years when the oil has seeped into the soil it could create a real chronic effect. After the explosion April 20th in the Gulf, the oil spill was recognized and it is said that about 1.6 million gallons of oil has spilled so far. It's spreading fast and officials are worried about its destruction. The oil will try to be stopped from reaching the coast since that will determine how bad the long term impacts will be.

Opinion: I feel like the environmental specialists should have anticipated the oil spill after the explosion more so than they did. I know they are trying to help now and have determined where and when the spill took place, but I feel bad for all of the animals that are having to live with it and are being affected by it. I also hope that the spill can be stopped from reaching the coast so that there will be less long term affects and no major damage is caused by it. The whole thing was an accident and therefore I really want nothing bad to come from it. I know the environmental specialists will do all they can to save the animals of the area and to stop the spill from getting any worse and spreading further, but they can't do it alone. I'm sure that they need all the help they can so we should all be thinking about them and helping out in any way that we can!