A large oil spill off the coast of Louisiana has many people worried, and rightly so. In an effort to contain this oil slick authorities say they will start burning some of the thickest areas of the oil slick. Fire resistant containment booms will act as a corral system in an effort to control some of the fire on the gulf’s surface. The Deepwater Horizon, which was the name of the drill site, was located some 50 miles off the Louisiana coast, eleven workers are still missing from the giant blast and are presumed dead. Hotel owners and fishermen are not the only ones nervous about the sticky oil slick creeping towards shore. Louisiana is also home to delicate wetlands and extensive oyster bed systems which are both important economically and ecologically. Both of these extraordinary ecosystems serve as a buffer that protects the terrestrial environment from the harsh aquatic elements. They also provide a perfect nursery for young birds, especially waterfowl, and are extremely nutrient rich and productive areas. If the oil slick were to reach the coast, the loss of wildlife would be catastrophic. The effect that a burn like this has on marine life is unclear, and the burning of crude oil will also cause air pollution. But it is crucial to try every option we have in an effort to contain the oil spill in the gulf.
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