Oil exist as different forms. Depending on the type of oil that is spilled into the waters, the harmful effects will vary.
Most crude oils are categorized as medium oil. These exist as thick and viscous liquid that are not easily evaporated and will stay in the waters for much longer. Because they are so thick, they will smother living creatures when in contact.
Lighter oils, such as diesel and light crudes, exist as smaller molecules. This means that they evaporate quicker than crude oil. However, these oils are highly toxic and can kill when their fumes are inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
The impacts of an oil spill not only consist of the visible, such as oil sightings on the water and at the beaches, it also consist of the invisible, such as the negative consequences on our health. The following sub-pages breaks down the impacts that you can explore one by one.