Exploring Oil Spills

Name: _________________________________       Date: _____________

To prepare for oil spills, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminsitration has created Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Maps for the entire U.S. coastline. These maps describe the habitats, animals, plants, and human activities along the shore. In this activity, you will learn some of the features of ESI maps. You will then take a look at how well the Prince William Sound region of Alaska has recovered from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill.

1. First, you'll learn a bit about ESI maps. What types of information are shown on an ESI map?
   
   
   
   
2. Compare the pictures of the front and back sides of an ESI map. Describe what is shown on each side of the map.
   
   
   
   
3. Take a look at this list of shoreline types. List three types of shorelines that are very vulnerable to oil spills.
   
   
   
   
4. Click the links to the photographs of the three shorelines you chose to answer question 3. Make a hypothesis about why they are so vulnerable.
   
   
   
   
5. Return to the link for question 3. Find three other shoreline types that are less vulnerable to oil spills. Hypothesize why they are that way.
   
   
   
   
6. Now you'll see how oil spills affect biological resources. List five situations that put animals and their habitat at high risk to oil spills.
   
   
   
   
7. Oil spills also affect resources used by humans. What are the four types of resources shown on ESI maps?
   
   
   
   
8. Let's take a closer look at ESI map design. What types of information are shown by the different colors and polygon designs on the maps?
   
   
   
   
9. Read a summary of recovery from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Do you think Prince William Sound has recovered from the spill yet? Give evidence to support your position.