Oil Spills and Sea Otters Summer Stanford Johnson Liu Summer Stanford Johnson Liu
Outline Questions Hypothesis How does oil affect sea otters? Solutions & Prevention Existing Laws Randall William Davis Conclusions Questions Hypothesis How does oil affect sea otters? Solutions & Prevention Existing Laws Randall William Davis Conclusions
How the oil effects the Sea Otters When a sea otter fur is covered in oil The oil destroys the protective air layer of the otter ’ s fur Without the protective air layer, heat can longer remain in the fur When a sea otter fur is covered in oil The oil destroys the protective air layer of the otter ’ s fur Without the protective air layer, heat can longer remain in the fur
How the oil effects the Sea Otters (continued) Otters have no fat Use fur to keep warm Oil fills air spaces in fur Otter freezes to death from hypothermia Otters have no fat Use fur to keep warm Oil fills air spaces in fur Otter freezes to death from hypothermia
Solutions
Solution #1 Cleaning the Sea Otters Dish washing detergent works best to clean the oil off the sea otters But takes several days for air layer in fur to return to normal Dish washing detergent works best to clean the oil off the sea otters But takes several days for air layer in fur to return to normal
Solution #2 Rehabilitation Program Proven Solution Many volunteers and patience required Large pools built where the sea otters can slowly recover over time Proven Solution Many volunteers and patience required Large pools built where the sea otters can slowly recover over time
Solution #3 Pass Laws Makes oil drilling and shipping illegal in wildlife areas Laws passed to prohibit water pollution These laws prevent oil spills by putting a fine on organizations This money can be used to help rehabilitation programs Makes oil drilling and shipping illegal in wildlife areas Laws passed to prohibit water pollution These laws prevent oil spills by putting a fine on organizations This money can be used to help rehabilitation programs
Existing Laws Clean Water Act Oil Pollution Act CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act) SARA (Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act) Clean Water Act Oil Pollution Act CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act) SARA (Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act)
Randall William Davis and His Friends Saved Hundreds of Otters On March 24, 1989 the Exxon Valdez supertanker ran aground in Prince William Sound Davis and his friends rushed to Alaska to set a rehabilitation program On March 24, 1989 the Exxon Valdez supertanker ran aground in Prince William Sound Davis and his friends rushed to Alaska to set a rehabilitation program
Randall William Davis (Continued) After three months 300 volunteers were able to save about 200 oiled otters out of 357 that were oiled
Conclusions Oil spills can be very harmful to sea otters Oil directly affects the sea otter’s fur so it can’t keep warm Humans should think about where they are shipping and drilling oil Passing laws can be a legit way to help Oil spills can be very harmful to sea otters Oil directly affects the sea otter’s fur so it can’t keep warm Humans should think about where they are shipping and drilling oil Passing laws can be a legit way to help
References Davis, Randall W. "Rescuing Sea Otters." 6 June 2006, html U.S. Environmental Protection Agency “ Laws and Regulations, Oil Program, US EPA ” 7 June 2006, Dils, Tracey. The Exxon Valdez. Chelsea House Publisher; DuTemple, Lesley A. Oil Spills. Lucent Books Inc;1999 Wikipedia, “Sea Otter” 8 June 2006, Davis, Randall W. "Rescuing Sea Otters." 6 June 2006, html U.S. Environmental Protection Agency “ Laws and Regulations, Oil Program, US EPA ” 7 June 2006, Dils, Tracey. The Exxon Valdez. Chelsea House Publisher; DuTemple, Lesley A. Oil Spills. Lucent Books Inc;1999 Wikipedia, “Sea Otter” 8 June 2006,