How many animals are killed in an oil spill?

Answer 1

The term animals can be applied to a number of life forms from krill to Blue Whales. Specific animal related death rates are occasionally developed for rare, endangered or "cute" critters, usually after an oil spill. The general animal deaths number has never been calculated.

To calculate the number it would be necessary to determine:

* Number of animals of the species alive at any given time. * Total mortality rate from all causes. * Percentage attributable to pollution. This is far more than a life's work. Additionally, the data would be changing as fast as you could collect it. And this is precisely the problem with assessment of the pollution of our oceans. Pollution is massive (consider the North Pacific Gyre), and there isn't a good way to "get a handle on it" in an attempt to affect changes. The problem is just "out there" and bringing it home takes massive effort.

In the specific case of oil spills it would also be necessary to know the number and location oil spills each year. Many jurisdictions do not require reporting, many spills are never identified and many purposeful discharges occur. This data would be as difficult to assemle as the number of animal deaths.

Answer 2

Oil Spills

In almost all oil spills, thousands of organisms die. Please see related questions for animal death tolls for a specific oil spill.

Answer 3

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has likely harmed or killed approximately 82,000 birds of 102 species, approximately 6,165 sea turtles, and up to 25,900 marine mammals, including bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, melon-headed whales and sperm whales. The spill also harmed an unknown number of fish, including bluefin tuna and substantial habitat for the smallest seahorse in the United States, and an unknown but likely catastrophic number of crabs, oysters, corals, and other sea life. The spill also fouled more than a thousand miles of shoreline, including beaches and marshes, which took a substantial toll on the animals and plants found at the shoreline, including seagrass, beach mice, shorebirds and others.

Answer 4

Specific bird related death rates are occasionally developed for rare, endangered or "cute" critters, usually after an oil spill that is reported or receives wide attention. The general deaths number has never been calculated.

To calculate the number it would be necessary to determine:

* Number of birds of the species alive at any given time. * Total mortality rate from all causes. * Percentage attributable to oil spills and pollution. This is far more than a life's work. Additionally, the data would be changing as fast as you could collect it. And this is precisely the problem with assessment of the pollution of our oceans. Pollution is massive (consider the North Pacific Gyre), and there isn't a good way to "get a handle on it" in an attempt to affect changes. The problem is just "out there" and bringing it home takes massive effort.

Answer 5

approximately 254,000 animals were killed during the Exxon Valdez oil spill. 250,000 sea birds, 900 bald eagles, 300 seals, and 2,800 sea otters.

Answer 6

no one knows for sure, but we can estamate milloins

Answer 7

Billions,if you are to include the fishes,shelled fishes,crabs,etc...

Answer 8

i wish none died but sadly millions have died.

Answer 9

29,500 marine animals are affected by oil spills each year