8.2 (2 of 2) Human Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems

Estuaries are areas containing what type of water?

• Freshwater

• Saltwater

• Brackish water (a mixture of fresh and salt water)

The Deepwater Horizon (BP) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico occurred because

• the tanker carrying the oil ran aground and was punctured

• the underwater well exploded

The Exxon Valdez oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico occurred because

• the tanker carrying the oil ran aground and was punctured

• the underwater oil well exploded

A column of oil migrating from the explosion site on the ocean floor up to the surface is called an

• oil plume

• oil slick

Oil on the surface of the water is called an

• oil plume

• oil slick

What is the quickest/most immediate solution to try and contain and clean up an oil spill?

• Burning

• Deploy a boom and skimming

• Using dispersants