Delaware River Oil Spill and the River Ecosystem

The November 23 oil tanker spill on the Delaware River could have long-term devastating effects on the river ecosystem.

57 miles of shoreline are oiled in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and the cleanup process is a daunting task The oil from the spill soaked nooks and crannies along the entire river, and in some places has sunk to the bottom. The images of oil-caked birds struggling to survive in the aftermath are heartbreaking, but wildlife officials say they are bracing for what could be years of instability for the Delaware's inhabitants, including fish, mammals, and the insects that many other animals depend upon for food. The migrating shad that spawn upstream of the spill site could be the best indicator yet of how devastating the oil spill will be for the future of the ecosystem. When the juvenile shad attempt to leave the river for the ocean next fall, they will eat and rest in the river's shallow banks, and are a major source of food for birds and predatory fish. What affects the young shad will affect the entire food chain.

For updates on the cleanup effort, visit the US Coast Guard website at http://www.incidentinfo.com/external/index.cfm?cid=864

The Trentonian 2004