Scientists
Say Gulf Spill May Permanently Alter
Food
Chain
After various reports of dead and
mutated
animals, scientists have concluded
damage will
infiltrate the entire food chain.
Here's a
rundown of the early ecological impact
of all
that oil, from the AP: * Researches
have
documented a massive die-off of
pyrosomes --
cucumber-shaped, gelatinous organisms
fed on
by endangered sea turtles. * Droplets
of oil
are being found inside the shells of
young
crabs that are a mainstay in the diet
of fish,
turtles and shorebirds. * And at the
base of
the food web, tiny organisms that
consume oil
and gas are proliferating. These
events could
permanently alter the regional
ecosystem.
Unfortunately, the Gulf states depend
on
fishing and tourism.