Answer:
If the oil spilled in the gulf would have been processed oil, it would be worse than a normal oil spill as these oils have a higher shelf life.
Explanation:
Oil spills happen when a large quantity of oil gets mixed with large water bodies like sea and oceans. The oil being denser than water floats on the surface and does not mix with the water. It forms a coating on top of the water.
The difference between processed oil and normal oil is that they are heated at very high temperatures and this results in oxidation which creates free radicals, which are not good for the body and its cells. Also they have a very long shelf life due to which they will remain on water for a long time.
When oil spills happen, the wind cause the spill to spread over the water surface, thereby engulfing a large amount of area. The major disadvantages of the spill are:-
- The oil gets stuck in the feathers of the birds who come by to dip themselves,
- Animals like whale, dolphins have blow holes for releasing water. the oil covers these holes and makes it difficult for them to breathe.
- The fur of animals like seal and otter gets mixed with the oil and can prove harmful to them as it gets them exposed to cold.
- The overall BOD of the water body decreases, and organisms which use sun rays coming inside the ocean suffer as these get blocked.
- Since processed oil has longer shelf life, a large quantity of animals will suffer and die.
