On April 20, 2010 at approximately 9:45 PM, the entire future of the Gulf of Mexico, and the Ocean entirely, was changed when high-pressure gas from BP’s Gulf well expanded into the drilling rig, where it ignited and exploded, engulfing the platform entirely. At the time, 126 crew members were on board when the explosion occurred: seven BP employees, 79 of Transocean, and employees of various other companies. Eleven workers were never found despite a three-day search, and are believed to have died in the accident. 94 crew members were rescued, 17 of whom were treated for injuries. The largest oil leak in history was then discovered on April 22, when a large oil slick began to spread at the former rig site. The oil flowed for 87 days, dumping more than 200 million gallons of oil into the ocean- until the leak was capped on July 15.
Because of this awful man-made mistake, thousands of animals died immediately, including some of the very humans that helped cause this catastrophe. (Source 1) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found 1,014 birds with oil on them, causing birds to lose their buoyancy and the ability to regulate body temperature, 997 were dead, and 749 were alive. The NOAA also found 528 sea turtles, with 400 dead, and 128 alive. Also, Mammals could have ingested oil, which causes ulcers and internal bleeding- 51 mammals were found, with 47 dead and 4 alive. Also, dead and dying deep sea corals were discovered seven miles from the Deepwater Horizon well, along with many fish. Many of the dead fish found were cut open and oil was found in their gills and their heart.
According to Source 3, “Some scientists say there are indications of complex, long-term effects, but warn that five years is too soon to understand their significance.” Although many of the long-term effects still remain unclear, today we are already starting to discover many