The Beginning! The Oil Spill: Brief Overview

Well here it goes! Suppose I have to start somewhere. I aim to add a blog weekly giving my thoughts on current global issues which in turn will affect both our lives now and the future.  Leaving this first blog is quite "well-timed" giving the recent happenings regarding the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, aka, BP Oil spill, off the Gulf of Mexico.  This was caused by an explosion to the Deepwater Horizon Offshore Drilling Unit.   As most will probably know, there is mass fears that this could possibly lead to an environmental distaster with an extensive amount of damage already caused to the natural habitats of marine and wildlife, whilst the tourism and fishing industries in the area have also been greatly affected. Deep Water Horizon Unified Command Agency claimed on 28th June that BP had successfully removed 28,000,000 US gallons of oily liquid and burned about 9,900,000 US gallons of oil. Regarding the consequences of what has occurred; there are a number of factors which can threaten a environmnetal distaster such as; toxicity of the petroleum and also depletion of oxygen.  In the affected area live more than 400 different species which are at risk including one endangered, the Kemp's Ridley Turtle. As of June 25, there had been 1,539 dead animals found in the spill zone including 1074 dead birds, 417 sea turtles, and 48 dolphins and other mammals,