Kelp at an oil spill

Special barriers limit the spread of the oil spill

Oil-covered bird, the result of an oil spill

An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment. Oil from ships and oil tankers can spill onto the sea water and pollute the water.

Oil poisons and harms the aquatic organisms and seabirds. The fur of sea mammals and the feathers of seabirds can be damaged by the oil. The animals may suffer, and the effect may be fatal for them.

When birds get soaked in oil, they can't fly and they can't go in water.