If the oil washes into coastal marshes, mangrove forests, or other wetlands, fibrous plants and grasses absorb oil, which can damage plants and make the area unsuitable as wildlife habitat. 

Sea birds that swim and dive for their food are most likely to be covered in oil following a spill 

Oil spills frequently kill marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, seals, and sea otters. 

Oil spills often take a deadly toll on fish, shellfish, and other marine life, particularly if many fish eggs or larvae are exposed to oil

Long-term damage to species and their habitats and nesting or breeding grounds 

solution:

->  massive clean-up efforts

Using Oil Booms

Hot Water and High-Pressure Washing

making use of the vagaries of nature like the sun, the wind, the weather, tides, or naturally occurring microbes