What Does Garbage do to Mangrove Plant Part 2

This is the second part in a 3 part series about what garbage does to the Mangrove plant. For part 1 click here.

We looked at what liquid waste does to the mangrove plants but lets now consider what oil waste does to the plants.  

Oil waste

Oil waste from boating, shipping activities, fuel stations, petroleum production, power plants, streets and gas exploration. These activities if not carefully carried out can result in oil, gasoline or kerosene spills into the waters surrounding the mangrove plants.

 Oil has a remarkable way of coating the underground and above ground roots of the mangroves. Therefore, one of the major affect on the mangrove plants is loss of leaves flowers and branches. The extent of the affect will depend on the environmental conditions and the type of mangrove plant. For example, in sunny conditions when the trees are hot, the red mangroves are affected more severely. There are some less noticeable effects like oil particles becoming trapped in the sediment even after a spill has been removed from the plants or water. The oily soils can stop the mangrove seedlings from taking root or even kill those which have already taken root. Also, this left over oil can cause mutations in some plants as well.

Mangroves which have experienced the affects of oil waste are more vulnerable to damage in the future. Sometimes, the act of cleaning up the oil waste can cause trampling and compacting of the plants. Altogether, the effect will depend on the kind of oil and the size of the spill. And it would take months, even years to realize the overall effects.

To continue reading part 3 of this post, click here.