The Exxon Valdez oil SpillThe Exxon Valdez oil Spill

We will look at:We will look at:The background history of the Exxon Valdez Oil The background history of the Exxon Valdez Oil SpillSpillThe effects of the spill- particularly to the Sea The effects of the spill- particularly to the Sea OttersOttersFinally, what we can do to prevent another Finally, what we can do to prevent another “Exxon Valdez Oil Spill”“Exxon Valdez Oil Spill”

What do we want to What do we want to know?know?

How did the Exxon Valdez oil spill affect How did the Exxon Valdez oil spill affect Alaskan wildlife, particularly sea Alaskan wildlife, particularly sea otters?otters?

How is the wildlife recovering? Is there How is the wildlife recovering? Is there any long-term damage?any long-term damage?

What do we think?What do we think?We believe that the Exxon Valdez oil spill We believe that the Exxon Valdez oil spill

had several negative impacts on had several negative impacts on Alaska’s wildlife, and we believe the Alaska’s wildlife, and we believe the wildlife is still being negatively wildlife is still being negatively impacted today.impacted today.

Let’s look at Let’s look at the Exxon Valdezthe Exxon Valdez

At 4 minutes past midnight on At 4 minutes past midnight on March 24, 1989, The Exxon Valdez March 24, 1989, The Exxon Valdez loaded loaded 1,264,155 barrels of North 1,264,155 barrels of North Slope crude oilSlope crude oil, on the Bligh Reef , on the Bligh Reef in the northeastern portion of in the northeastern portion of Prince William Sound.Prince William Sound.About 1/5About 1/5thth of the total cargo, of the total cargo, that’s 11.2 million gallons, spilled that’s 11.2 million gallons, spilled into the sea.into the sea.This was the This was the LARGEST tanker spill LARGEST tanker spill in the United States history!!in the United States history!!

What went wrong…What went wrong…The Exxon Valdez Oil The Exxon Valdez Oil Tanker ran aground due to Tanker ran aground due to the failure of the 3the failure of the 3rdrd mate mate to properly maneuver the to properly maneuver the vessel because of vessel because of impairment from alcohol, impairment from alcohol, fatigue, excessive fatigue, excessive workload and inadequate workload and inadequate navigation equipment.navigation equipment.

The Exxon Shipping The Exxon Shipping company did not provide company did not provide proper equipment and an proper equipment and an adequate rested crew.adequate rested crew.

More Trouble…More Trouble…The captain of the ship, The captain of the ship, Joseph Hazelwood, was Joseph Hazelwood, was seen drinking with the seen drinking with the crew in several bars crew in several bars immediately before immediately before boarding the ship.boarding the ship.The ship had been The ship had been diverted from normal diverted from normal traffic lanes, presumably traffic lanes, presumably to avoid icebergs.to avoid icebergs.And most importantly, And most importantly, there was there was a lack of a lack of proper navigational proper navigational systems.systems.

Valdez AlaskaValdez Alaska

And the jury says…And the jury says…Federal appeals court Federal appeals court Ruled that they pay Ruled that they pay $5.3 billion in Punitive $5.3 billion in Punitive damages. The damages. The Exxon Exxon Corporation asked the Corporation asked the judge to set a lower judge to set a lower amount- they felt it was amount- they felt it was unfair to have to pay unfair to have to pay for the oil spill by Congress and then pay the for the oil spill by Congress and then pay the fisherman, etc. fisherman, etc. As a result, in 1994 Exxon was ordered to pay As a result, in 1994 Exxon was ordered to pay damages to 33,000 commercial fisherman, damages to 33,000 commercial fisherman, Alaskan natives, property owners and others Alaskan natives, property owners and others harmed. harmed.

Oil Spill Recovery TeamsOil Spill Recovery Teams

More Rulings…..More Rulings…..

Hazelwood was put on trial and found not Hazelwood was put on trial and found not guiltyguilty for operating a vessel under the for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. influence of alcohol.

He was ordered to pay a fine and He was ordered to pay a fine and complete 1000 hours of community complete 1000 hours of community service.service.

Hazelwood and Third Mate Gregory Hazelwood and Third Mate Gregory Cousins both resigned.Cousins both resigned.

More on Exxon ValdezMore on Exxon ValdezThis map shows how This map shows how widely distributed the widely distributed the oil was- the area in oil was- the area in red shows where the red shows where the oil spilled.oil spilled.Approximately 1300 Approximately 1300 miles of beaches were miles of beaches were oiled.oiled. Even though, Even though, this horrific event this horrific event took place in 1989, took place in 1989, we are still cleaning we are still cleaning up the waters today.up the waters today.

How was the oil cleaned up?How was the oil cleaned up?Barges were sent out to Barges were sent out to deploy containment deploy containment booms around the tanker booms around the tanker to prevent the oil from to prevent the oil from spreading too far. They spreading too far. They were delayed and were delayed and took 12 took 12 hours to reach the scenehours to reach the scene..Skimmers were sent out Skimmers were sent out to skim the layer of oil to skim the layer of oil from the surface of the from the surface of the water. Some of the oil was water. Some of the oil was burned away.burned away.High-pressure hot-water High-pressure hot-water hoses and chemical hoses and chemical cleaners were used to cleaners were used to blast the oil off the blast the oil off the beaches. beaches.

The Effects of the The Effects of the Exxon Exxon ValdezValdez Oil Spill on Oil Spill on Alaskan Wildlife Alaskan Wildlife

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Cleanup effortsExxon Valdez Oil Spill Cleanup efforts

Positive Human ImpactPositive Human Impact

This rescuer This rescuer saved a saved a baby sea baby sea otter from otter from an oil spill.an oil spill.

What happened to the animals?What happened to the animals?

Several rehabilitation Several rehabilitation centers were opened centers were opened to to care for oiled and injured care for oiled and injured animalsanimals..Animals were washed with Animals were washed with Dawn dishwashing soap to Dawn dishwashing soap to remove oil from their remove oil from their feathers and fur.feathers and fur.After a short period of After a short period of rehabilitation, animals were rehabilitation, animals were released into unoiled areas.released into unoiled areas.

The Effects on theThe Effects on theSea OttersSea Otters

The oil slicks on the surface The oil slicks on the surface are especially dangerous to are especially dangerous to the fur bearing sea otters. the fur bearing sea otters. The oil interferes with the The oil interferes with the otters ability to maintain its otters ability to maintain its body temperature which body temperature which results in death from results in death from hypothermia.hypothermia.

Sea OtterSea OtterEffects continuedEffects continued

The The oil produces organ failureoil produces organ failure – – most commonly lung and most commonly lung and kidney problemskidney problemsDestroys reproductive systemsDestroys reproductive systems – animals can no longer – animals can no longer reproducereproduceVolatile components of oil can Volatile components of oil can remain in the water for many remain in the water for many yearsyearsOil compounds can enter and Oil compounds can enter and contaminate food sources.contaminate food sources.

Causes of Death Among Sea Causes of Death Among Sea Otters Following the Spill in Otters Following the Spill in

Prince William SoundPrince William Sound

Interpreting the DataInterpreting the Data

The spill was responsible for the death of a The spill was responsible for the death of a large number of sea otters.large number of sea otters.

It is estimated that It is estimated that only 20% of the otters only 20% of the otters that died in the Prince William Sound were that died in the Prince William Sound were actually recovered.actually recovered. This estimate more This estimate more than triples the mortality of the otters than triples the mortality of the otters following the spill.following the spill.

It is believed that some otters could have It is believed that some otters could have died after being released from died after being released from rehabilitation, due to rehabilitation, due to long-term injuries or long-term injuries or stressstress from being re-introduced into an from being re-introduced into an unfamiliar area . unfamiliar area .

Sea Otter Population Surveys in Sea Otter Population Surveys in Prince William Sound Prince William Sound Before Before

and After the Spilland After the Spill

Interpreting the DataInterpreting the Data

The overall trend of the graph shows a The overall trend of the graph shows a decrease in sea otter population from decrease in sea otter population from 1984 to July of 1991.1984 to July of 1991.

The continuing downward trend of otter The continuing downward trend of otter population numbers suggests that population numbers suggests that exposure to oil had long-term effects on exposure to oil had long-term effects on the otters. the otters. Two years after the spill, their Two years after the spill, their numbers remained on the downward numbers remained on the downward trendtrend..

The Current Status of The Current Status of The Prince William SoundThe Prince William Sound

Recovery Rates Among Wildlife Recovery Rates Among Wildlife Affected by the SpillAffected by the Spill

RECOVERYRECOVERY

A species is said to be recovered when A species is said to be recovered when they return to the they return to the status quostatus quo before the before the spillspill

This concept, however, is hard to grasp, This concept, however, is hard to grasp, since since the status quo of many species the status quo of many species before the spill is unknownbefore the spill is unknown . .

Non-Recovering WildlifeNon-Recovering Wildlife

Common Loon Common Loon

CormorantsCormorants

Harbor SealHarbor Seal

Harlequin DucksHarlequin Ducks

Pacific HerringPacific Herring

Pigeon GuillemotPigeon Guillemot

These animals, in oiled areas of the These animals, in oiled areas of the sound have shown no increase back to sound have shown no increase back to their populations pre-spill.their populations pre-spill.

Recovering WildlifeRecovering Wildlife

ClamsClams

Killer WhaleKiller Whale

Marbled MurreletsMarbled Murrelets

MusselsMussels

Sea OttersSea Otters

These animals are stable or increasing in These animals are stable or increasing in non-oiled areas, however are not non-oiled areas, however are not increasing in oiled areas.increasing in oiled areas.

Recovered WildlifeRecovered Wildlife

Bald EagleBald Eagle

Common MurreCommon Murre

Pink SalmonPink Salmon

River OtterRiver Otter

Sockeye SalmonSockeye Salmon

These animals have no lasting injuries These animals have no lasting injuries from the oil spill.from the oil spill.

Recovery of Sea OttersRecovery of Sea OttersSince 1993 Since 1993 the population of sea otters as the population of sea otters as

a whole has been increasing in the a whole has been increasing in the Prince William SoundPrince William Sound

However, the most heavily oiled bays in However, the most heavily oiled bays in the western part of the sound are not the western part of the sound are not showing signs of recoveryshowing signs of recovery

Recovery ofRecovery ofSea Otters continuedSea Otters continued

Studies show that a sea otters in the Studies show that a sea otters in the western part of the sound have much western part of the sound have much slower reproductive rates in comparison slower reproductive rates in comparison to the rest of the sound.to the rest of the sound.

We can therefore infer that today the oil We can therefore infer that today the oil continues to hinder sea otter recovery, continues to hinder sea otter recovery, as it still affects their reproductive as it still affects their reproductive cyclescycles..

The Age of Sea OttersThe Age of Sea Otters

Since the Exxon Valdez oil spill, there has Since the Exxon Valdez oil spill, there has been an been an increase in the death rate of increase in the death rate of young sea ottersyoung sea otters. .

The developing organs of newborn sea The developing organs of newborn sea otters are inhibited by the toxicity of otters are inhibited by the toxicity of the oil and have led to an the oil and have led to an increased increased death rate among newborn an juvenile death rate among newborn an juvenile Sea otters.Sea otters.

Recovery ofRecovery ofSea Otters continuedSea Otters continued

The destruction of their environment and The destruction of their environment and depletion of food sources is also hindering depletion of food sources is also hindering recovery todayrecovery today..

During clean up efforts, many shorelines During clean up efforts, many shorelines were destroyed from high pressure and were destroyed from high pressure and hot water. The sediments many small hot water. The sediments many small animals depend on were no longer animals depend on were no longer available to support them.available to support them.

Consequently, much of the food sea otters Consequently, much of the food sea otters depended on could no longer support the depended on could no longer support the sea otter population.sea otter population.

Recovery ofRecovery ofSea Otters continuedSea Otters continued

In April 2002 nineteen carcasses were In April 2002 nineteen carcasses were recovered in the western shore of the recovered in the western shore of the sound.sound.

Liver samples taken from the carcasses Liver samples taken from the carcasses indicated high levels of an enzyme indicated high levels of an enzyme associated with oil exposure.associated with oil exposure.

Analysis of the effects Analysis of the effects of oil on Sea Ottersof oil on Sea Otters

Immediately following the spill, the death Immediately following the spill, the death rate among sea otters soared. This can rate among sea otters soared. This can be blamed directly on the spill itself.be blamed directly on the spill itself.

With With 28 beach acres contaminated by 15, 28 beach acres contaminated by 15, 850 gallons of oil850 gallons of oil today, sea otters are today, sea otters are still exposed its dangers.still exposed its dangers.

Today, the recovery of sea otter carcasses Today, the recovery of sea otter carcasses still occurs. The devastation of their still occurs. The devastation of their population has made people more aware population has made people more aware of the disaster that such a huge oil spill of the disaster that such a huge oil spill creates.creates.

the result the result of the of the spill…spill…

The U.S. Coast Guard now The U.S. Coast Guard now monitors fully laden tankers monitors fully laden tankers via satellitevia satellite as they pass as they pass through Valdez Narrows.through Valdez Narrows.Weather criteria for safe Weather criteria for safe navigationnavigation have been firmly have been firmly Established.Established.Congress enacted legislation Congress enacted legislation requiring that requiring that all tankersall tankers in in Prince William Sound be Prince William Sound be double-hulled by the year double-hulled by the year 2015. 2015.

Improvements in Improvements in PreventionPrevention

Two escort vesselsTwo escort vessels follow every tanker follow every tanker on either side, equipped to assist in on either side, equipped to assist in case a spill should occurcase a spill should occur

Drills regularly occurDrills regularly occur every year. Over every year. Over 300,000 barrels of oil300,000 barrels of oil are now able to are now able to be cleaned up in a 72 hour periodbe cleaned up in a 72 hour period

Now there are Now there are barges able to hold 818, barges able to hold 818, 000 barrels of recovered oil.000 barrels of recovered oil.

ConclusionConclusionThe plight of the Otter is based on The plight of the Otter is based on

a complicated and intertwined a complicated and intertwined ecosystem of which man plays a ecosystem of which man plays a key role.key role.

It is up to us to protect and assure It is up to us to protect and assure the continued existence of Otters the continued existence of Otters and all species on this planet.and all species on this planet.

EXXON VALDEZEXXON VALDEZ

Any QuestionsAny Questions