Answer: Oil spills may impact the environment in the following ways: Physical smothering of organisms: This is caused by oils with a high viscosity, in other words heavy oils. Smothering will affect an organism's physical ability to continue critical functions such as respiration, feeding and thermoregulation. Oil spills are harmful to marine birds and mammals as well as fish and shellfish Oil destroys the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals, such as sea otters, and the water repellency of a bird's feathers, thus exposing these creatures to the harsh elements.
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