The latest report showed that an oil spill was recorded on the Western Coastline of Venezuela. The spill also affected the nearby beaches in the area.
Authorities are also expected to investigate the environmental effects of the oil spill with environmental contingency action, according to the National Organization for Rescue and Maritime Safety of Venezuela's Aquatic Spaces.
Widespread oil spills can cause devastating impacts in the following areas:
- tourism
- wildlife
- water supplies
- community livelihoods
As a result, immediate mitigation efforts are important to prevent long-term impacts on the marine environment.
Venezuela's Western Coastline Oil Spill
According to recent reports, the oil spill affected the beaches in portions of Puerto Cabello, which is an important port in the area. It can also impact the beach activity in the area.
The National System for Risk Management reported the spill of hydrocarbons. The spill was believed from a waste lagoon located near the El Palito refinery. It can also impact the fishermen's livelihood, which they could likely not fish until it is fully cleaned up.
Environmental groups also raised concerns over the impacts on the marine environment and fauna in the affected area. In addition, the State oil giant PDVSA and volunteers also worked to clean the oil spill.
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Oil Spill Effects: How Can It Harm The Environment?
Oil spills have devastating environmental and economic impacts. It can harm people's health and livelihood, especially people in the coastal communities. The food can become contaminated due to the accidental spill, making it more unsafe
According to NOAA's report, spills can threaten sea creations and worsen pollution problems. It can happen due to failure of ship refueling, pipeline breaks or leaks, or when oil tanker problems.
The oil spills can significantly cause the decline of the health of plants and sea animals, including their habitats. For instance, birds can die from starvation because the oil can't make them challenging to fly. It can affect the animal's survival, especially during extreme cold.
Researchers also emphasized that it can kill sea otters, whales and other mammals. The animals can suffer from breathing difficulty due to the oil coats. Widespread death of fish can emerge, particularly in breeding grounds of marine animals.
Loss of habitats can happen, especially for the oyster reef and wetland areas. It can impact the migration of animals, foraging behavior and their sources.
As a result, wildlife restoration is a crucial emergency response to oil leaks. While oil spill cleanup is possible, it is not possible to remove all the spilled oil.
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