The cases of oil spillage are not new to the world. There is a myriad of incidents that occur in the oceans and the seas due to the spilling of oils. This poses a serious hazard to the aquatic life in those areas. Recently, a tragically massive oil spill was reported in Southern California that started with the coast of Huntington Beach. It is said to have started either Friday night or Saturday morning.
Approximately 126,000 gallons of crude oil spilled out of an underwater pipeline which was operated by Amplify Energy, The Associated Press reports. This led to the sending of authorities dispersing to pinpoint and contain the leak while making sure that a minimum of ecological damage is done. The damage, according to the experts, is among the worst to strike the area in recent history. It has already covered beaches and wildlife habitats with oil. This will most probably cause them to shut down and causing likely environmental devastation for months.
“You get the taste in the mouth just from the vapors in the air,” Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley told the AP.
The oil has already reached the nearby marshlands, The Los Angeles Times reports. The fragile ecosystems in these areas are supposed to be crucial habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife, but the oil was brought in by the high tide and now the experts say the damage could last for months.
According to the LA Times, the authorities are working to diffuse the situation. Besides that, Amplify Energy shut off its three offshore platforms and suction-drained the pipeline to keep any more oil from leaking out while authorities are struggling to contain the spill.
“In a year that has been filled with incredibly challenging issues, this oil spill constitutes one of the most devastating situations that our community has dealt with in decades,” Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr told the AP. “We are doing everything in our power to protect the health and safety of our residents, our visitors, and our natural habitats.”
