New Insights: Impacts of the Horizon Oil Spill
Photo credit: Phys.org via Andrew Whitehead
There is no doubt that the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill has had devastating impacts on the ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf Killifish, a species that resides in that area, is just one of the many that has been affected by the spill.
However, this species is particularly important because scientists have used them as a basis for their research to provide insights into how all of the fish in the area are affected by oil contamination.
It is very difficult to provide thorough data and research when it comes to the ocean because it’s next to impossible to control all of the variables, especially when trying to connect biological effects with specific causes.
Yet, scientists have discovered strikingly similar results between the killifish in the field and the killifish that have been tested for oil exposure in the laboratory.
In the lab, scientists tested both high and low concentrations of oil exposure and recorded the differences in results. They can use this data to compare the impacts with that of the killifish in the wild.
Hopefully these results will provide more detail about the issues impacting the marine life in the Gulf and offer insight into how we can help reverse the damaging effects of the oil spill.
Because of dedicated scientists and researchers, things are looking up.
