How are the food chains in a beach habitat affected when oil covers the beach?
Answers
Generally, oil spills occurring during transport results in the oil covers.
Due to the low density of oil relative to water, oil floats on the water which results in chemical toxicity destroying the aquatic species. It also results in coating and smothering the aquatic life.Problems include varying temperature, weather conditions, long term damage to breeding, migratory and food habits. Since most oils float, surface predators like sea otters and sea birds, which in turn affects the whole food chain.
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration studies says that oil destroys the water repelling abilities of fur and feathers and their ability to trap warm air when they become coated with oil. As a result, sea mammals and sea birds lose their buoyancy and die of hypothermia.
Benthic species such as reptiles and fish, ingest oil and suffer from organ damage and reproductive failure. It may also result in Biomagnification towards top predators. With the top predators dying due to Biomagnification, it in turn affects the whole food web. It allows algae to grow unchecked and thus take up available oxygen from the water when they decompose, suffocating other animals in the ecosystem.
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