Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello, I have a question regarding my science project. I am reseaching how hydrocarbons from oil spills can effect the environment. If you have any information about how hydrocarbons polute the earth I would like to hear back from you.

Thanks
-Travis

Hi,

The main problem with hydrocarbons is that they are toxic to most animals. Try looking up the 'effects of oil spill on the environment' in your favorite search engine, and you will find a lot of great information about the environmental effects of spilled crude oil (e.g. hydrocarbons). The reason you are probably not getting a lot of hits when you search for the effects of hydrocarbons is that there are a lot of different ones (such as benzene and methane) which do not all have the same effects.

Here are a couple of links to get you started:
http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Oc-Po/ ... Ocean.html
http://www.greenlivingtips.com/blogs/16 ... pills.html
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4616883_oi ... nment.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocarbon

Good luck!

Thanks a lot.