Effects of Crude Oil Pollution in the Tropical Rainforest Biodiversity of Ecuadorian Amazon Region
Paper Details
Effects of Crude Oil Pollution in the Tropical Rainforest Biodiversity of Ecuadorian Amazon Region
Abstract
The interconnectivity among the aquatic ecosystems of Ecuadorian Amazon makes them highly sensitive to broad range of anthropogenic activities like oil pollution. Ecuadorian Amazon biodiversity is in great threats because of the large scale oil pollution by the Chevron-Texaco which systematically dumped 18.5 billion gallons of highly carcinogenic toxic waste into unlined pits, swamps, streams, and rivers into the rainforest from 1964 to 1992. Vast number of ecologically important animals and plants populations is in great threats after this massive oil pollution. The spread of oil and its biological effects is documented immediately. Forest plants, river grasses, algae, and associated invertebrates were badly covered by oil and soon after they are died regularly. The death of Dolphins, Otter and several species of birds has been reported because of oil pollution. The secondary effects of oil pollution are always much greater than the primary effects. So, proper initiatives should be taken in the long run to protect the biological communities of Amazon.
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