Twenty years after the Exxon Valdez tanker spilled millions of gallons of crude oil into the Prince William Sound, scientists still estimate that as much as 20,000 gallons remain. According to researcher Michel C. Boufadel of Temple University, this is due to unusual soil composition that allows oil to reside in a deep layer of sand and small rocks that are trapped underneath larger sections.
Boufadel says he is concerned that many beaches have the propensity to store pollutants in a similar manner. Because of the constant pressure and stable nature of the oil, it is likely to remain locked in the deep layers of soil for a geologic time period. The oil is not expected to biodegrade as usual in this environment, owing to the lack of oxygen there.
Despite the fact that the remaining oil is completely sequestered, the surrounding area is still affected from the exposure nearly two decades ago. Some wildlife in the area are found to be slightly chemically altered, producing enzymes that are synonymous with exposure to oil. Boufadel warns that as polar ice continues to shift and melt, shipping through arctic waters will grow in popularity and pose a risk to the wildlife that live there.
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