Written by student.

No one knows the exact amount of oil that enters the world’s oceans and waterways but experts estimate that over 3.2 million metric tons enter each year. Ninety percent of this oil is directly related to human activity (Cooper 1992; Nicodem et al. 1997). In Mexico most of the oil fields are found along the coastal zones and can extract 3,177 thousand barrels daily, around 40% total export revenue of Mexico (Ortiz-Lozano et al. 2005). Although Mexico is economically benefiting from its oil industry, it is also causing severe habitat destruction.

Mexico is continuing to expand its oil industry but because of its out of date infrastructure, major habitats are being destroyed. Old ducts leak enormous amounts of petroleum into the Mexican Coastal Zone causing pollution levels to be severe in the industrial ports of Tampico-Madero, Salina Cruz, Lazaro Cardens and extreme in the Coatzacoalcos River (Ortiz-Lozano et al. 2005; SWU 2006). The worst oil spills occur in open water near the coastline where it disperses quickly (Cooper 1992). Unfortunately, Mexican oil is mostly found in water near coastlines where it can contaminate large regions

Birds and aquatic life that live along the shore line are the main victims of oil spills. Birds cannot distinguish between clean water and water covered by oil spills. When they land on the oil polluted water, air pockets in their feathers that keep them afloat are damaged, causing the birds to drown. If they do not drown, they often die soon after from ingesting toxins or by starving to death. They starve because other organisms lower on the food web die when they come into contact with oil (Cooper 1992).

To reduce the environmental damage caused by the oil industry, Mexico must update its water ducts to prevent spills at the source. They also need to implement new laws to prevent further degradation. Although the industry has implemented an Environmental Restoration Act, they should also focus on habitat preservation. By updating its infrastructure and taking measures to reduce oil spills, Mexico will lower its pollution and protect the environment.




Want to Learn More?

Cooper, M. 1992. Oil Spills. The CQ Researcher. Congression Quarterly Inc, Washington D.C .

Hall, R. J., A. A. Belisle, and L. Sileo. 1983. Residues of petroleum hydrocarbons in tissues of sea turtles exposed to the ixtoc 1 oil spill. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 19(2): 106-109 .

Nicodem, D., M. C. Fernandez, C. Guedes, and R. J. Correa. 1997. Photochemical processes and the environmental impact of petroleum spills. Biochemestry 39: 121-138.

Ortiz-Lozano, L., A. Granados-Barbara, V. Solis-Weiss, and M. A. Garcia-Salgado. (2005). Environmental evaluation and development problems of the Mexican Coastal Zone. Ocean and Coastal Management 48: 161-176.

Southwest Workers Union (SWU). 2006. Oil wind and water. SWU, San Antonio, Tenxas.

Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World

Freshwater Ecoregions of the World

Marine Ecoregions of the World







This page was created from an environmental education writing project generated in the Fall 2009 Bio245 Conservation Biology class. Content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Gustavus Adolphus College.

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