The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill - 20 Years After: The Analysis

Michael Ricciardi — Fri, 01 May 2009 06:19:58 +0000

Twenty years ago last month, the supertanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef in Prince William Sound and ran aground, releasing 40 million liters {approximately 10 million gallons) into the surrounding sea and onto the beaches. It remains the worst oil spill in US maritime history. In the days that followed, impact inventories revealed the lethal outcome: a quarter of a million sea birds had been killed, along with 22 Orca whales, nearly 3000 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, and unknown millions of fish eggs.

In 1991, the Alaskan and US Governments reached an agreement with Exxon Mobil in a 900 million dollar settlement, almost 200 million of which was set aside for scientific study of the disaster and its impact on the PWS ecosystem. Exxon Mobile also funded its own studies (generating 400 papers and reports) which were frequently in disagreement with the government scientists’ reports and findings.

Twenty years after, the Exxon Valdez spill has become the most studied maritime, industrial disaster ever. A news report in Science Magazine (March 26, 2009) by Lila Guterman (with Jacopo Pasotti reporting) presented some of the scientific findings from the post-spill research.

Don’t ‘Help’ the Seal Pups

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:13:08 +0000

It’s the time of year when harbor seals in California start giving birth to pups. Don’t assume, however, any young, lone pup on the beach has been abandoned. Harbor seal mothers normally leave their newborns alone for short times while feeding in the ocean, too many of which are picked up each year by people who think they’ve been orphaned. If in doubt, call a park ranger.

Photo courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Green Options » harbor seals

The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill - 20 Years After: The Analysis

Don’t ‘Help’ the Seal Pups