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Oil Spills

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Summary

Areas of Science
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Average (6-10 days)
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Abstract

No one can deny the devastating consequences of an oil spill on the local wildlife. Oil affects all levels of the ecosystem, from plants to fish and birds. What happens to water plants if you add motor oil to their pot? What is the effect of motor oil on the health of a goldfish, or water insects? What happens to the barbs of a bird feather if they are dipped in oil? Can you test different types of environmentally-friendly detergents for cleaning the bird feathers? Can you test different methods of containing oil that has been spilled on water? What about oil spilled on land? How does it affect the soil, or plants that grow in the soil? Can you try to treat affected soil with conditioners or detergents to improve the growth of plants after an oil spill? Some detergents contain enzymes to break down oil and grease; research some of these enzymes. What organisms do they come from? How are they made? What type of proteins are they? Can you think of other potential enzymes to use, or a method of delivery to the spill site? (EPA, 2006)

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MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Oil Spills." Science Buddies, 20 Nov. 2020, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/EnvSci_p032/environmental-science/oil-spills. Accessed 7 June 2023.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2020, November 20). Oil Spills. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/EnvSci_p032/environmental-science/oil-spills


Last edit date: 2020-11-20
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