Gulf of Mexico's Oil Spill Impact Intrigues Geographers

In the New York Times article "Oil Hits Home, Spreading Arc of Frustration," the authors explained the extent of the disaster on the economy as the oil is, "smearing tourist beaches, washing onto the shorelines of sleepy coastal communities and oozing into marshy bays that fishermen have worked for generations."  The same article recounts stories of shrimpers stuffing their catches into coolers in preparation for the season to end abruptly and completely and hotel owners along the Gulf desperately trying to persuade guests to keep their vacation plans.  The article also quoted Louisiana Governor, Bobby Jindal, who warned, "Let's make no mistake that what is at threat here is our way of life."

The Economist reports that, "while 83% of seafood eaten in America is imported, most oysters are not, and two-thirds of the oysters consumed [in America] come from the Gulf." National Geographic News has reported that many of these oyster beds have already been shut down due to the spill. 
Additionally, the Gulf produces almost half of the U.S. supply of shrimp, and, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), "a sustained spill is likely to put the regional economy at severe risk."

This disaster comes just a short time after Hurricane Katrina and the economic downturn and according to Willie Drye at National Geographic News, this year's hurricane season is predicted to be an extremely active one.  A hurricane brings with it an untold aftermath.  One potential consequence NOAA suggests, is that storm surges caused by hurricanes could bring discernable deposits of oil much farther onshore along the Gulf.  The spreading of this oil will likely harm not only the livelihoods of coastal residents, but an entire economic network that depends on the Coast. 

The Oil Spill and the Environment
   
Having already reached coastal shores, the concern now is how far along the coast oil might travel.  Several weeks ago, NOAA officials said that, "some of the oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill is 'increasingly likely' to be dragged into a strong current that hugs Florida's coasts."
   
Experts, such as marine biologist Sylvia Earle, already suspect that the crude may be deadly to plankton, which is vital food that larger animals depend on.  Although rescue workers can sometimes clean oiled birds and other larger animals that come ashore, "How do you deal with de-oiling plankton?" Earle asks.

Sea turtles, which remain on the U.S. Endangered Species List, are now washing ashore on Mississippi beaches in numbers exceeding thirty, according to early May reports.  Since turtles feed and breathe at the water's surface, the risk of oil ingestion is particularly dangerous and probable for the species. 
   
For migratory animals, the Gulf serves as, "a vital wintering or resting spot for nearly three quarters of America's waterfowl, and is a major spawning area for the endangered Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna," reports WWF.  Sadly, the spill occurred around the height of the migratory season for birds and other wildlife, which could prove extremely fatal to these populations. 

An especially threatened species, however, is one that does not migrate--the Gulf's sperm whales.  National Geographic News reports that, because this fragile species exists only in the Gulf of Mexico, if the oil spill kills only three sperm whales, "it could seriously endanger the long-term survival of the Gulf's native whale population."

This spill not only has many harmful effects on individual species, but on the health and functionality of an entire ecosystem. 


Michelle for My Wonderful World