Potential Ecological Impact

The Gulf Coast of the U.S. is home to some of the most fragile ecosystems in the world. As of April 28, the slick from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was a mere 20 miles from the Louisiana coast. Oceanographers said that fast-moving currents from the northwest could even cause the spill to hit the environmentally fragile Florida Keys and its vital reefs.

Standing in the potential path of the spill is Louisiana’s Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The area is home to several endangered and threatened species, including the American alligator, brown pelican, and piping plover.

Marshes along the Gulf Coast will also face serious damage if the spill reaches there. The marshes serve as nurseries for countless economically and ecologically important fish and crustaceans whose young might be smothered or otherwise harmed. Cleaning up the marshes would be very difficult, and oil there may have to be burned off. Air pollution from such a burn would also be environmentally damaging.

In the open ocean, the spill threatens billions of fish eggs and larvae coating the Gulf’s surface this time of year. Shrimp hatcheries, oyster reefs and other economically important sea life could be devastated, crippling the commercial fishing industry for years to come.

In Louisiana alone, commercial fishing is a $2.4 billion dollar per year business. The spill could disrupt shrimp, fishing and blue crab harvesting if it hits Louisiana, and could delay oyster harvesting season.

If the oil reaches the beaches that bring millions of tourist to the Gulf Coast every year, cleanup could take months. Tourism could be impacted for years, and the restaurants, hotels and other businesses that employ thousands of Gulf Coast residents would suffer tremendously.