Oil Spills June 2014 | Page 5

Most Badly Affected

Regions

Oil Spills / 2014 3

AFTER

BEFORE

Mangrove swamps are the salt marshes of tropical, coastal regions the Gulf. These swamps are unique in their importance in that they are not only key nursery areas of the coastal regions, they also protect low-lying areas from flooding. Oil spills can potentially invade the sediments, damage the mangrove roots and destroy this ecosystem.(IOTPF)

Marshes, estuaries and bayous, areas that make up the coastal wetlands, are extremely important regions for their primary productivity--the energy produced by the lush vegetation-- and their role as feeding and breeding grounds for numerous species of animals. The coastal wetlands are the most lively, nutrient-rich regions on earth. Most marine wildlife spends part of its life cycle in a wetland area. (ITOPF) Problems have arisen historically from the usage of chemical dispersants, (neaq) which companies have used to avoid responsibility for their actions. (BP)