Oil Spills Continue to Damage Deep Ocean Habitats a Decade Later
Oil spills may have effects on deep-ocean ecosystems that persist long after the visible slick has disappeared. Although oil is commonly understood to float, new research suggests that it can gradually permeate even extremely deep marine habitats.
The study found that animal populations in affected areas can decline by as much as 80 percent, with substantial damage still present a decade after a spill. These findings point to a lasting impact on the ocean floor and raise questions about how spilled oil continues to affect marine life over time.