The Deepwater Horizon oil spill can have the following impacts on sea turtles:

• Oil or dispersants on the sea turtle’s skin and body can cause skin irritation, chemical burns and infections.
• Inhalation of volatile petroleum compounds and dispersants can damage the respiratory tract and lead to diseases such as pneumonia.
• Ingesting oil or dispersants can cause injury to the gastrointestinal tract, which may affect the animals’ ability to absorb or digest food.
• Inhaled or ingested chemicals can damage liver, kidney and brain function, cause anemia and immune suppression, or lead to reproductive failure or death.
• Oil on developing sea turtle nests can increase egg mortality and lead to potential deformities in the hatchlings that do survive.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill could also destroy important sea turtle habitat areas such as seagrass beds and coral reefs, as well as reduce food availability.

PLEASE HELP!