Recent Oil Spill

On April 20, 2010, just last week, there was a major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Although research is being done to determine the cause of the oil spill, it has not yet been determined. Many people were thrown overboard from ships and pronounced dead. The oil spill is affecting many living organisms as well as our environment.
     To this day, the oil spill is reportedly leaking an estimated amount of 42,000 galloons of oil per day. This oil spill poses as a threat to all wildlife but especially birds and whales of which reside close to the source. Marine life near the coastline could also suffer massive effects from this spill. The Coast Guard is working hard to control the oil spill as well as find tactics to stop it. The cause of the spill is still unknown.
     Today, the Coast Guard began to burn some of the area of oil in order to prevent anymore environmental damage than has already happened. They tested this tactic by burning a 30 mile radius of the spill. This technique will allow to physically remove the oil once it has been ignited. This is seen as less of a threat to the environmental because it can actually be taken away, as opposed to remaining there. Hopefully the decision to burn off some of the oil will prevent damage to our environment and help others see the importance of prioritizing our environment.