* This project was conducted by high school-aged students at St. George’s School in BogotÌÁ, Colombia, as part of a 2013 literature review project on ecosystems.

Abstract: After the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, many species were affected. With this project, the impact the spill had on the food chain will be analyzed through satellite images, and other different sources which relate to the background of the incident. This includes immediate results, such as the death of photogenic organisms due to the oil layer on the water and the death of animals covered in oil, and long-term effects such as the imbalance on the ecosystem caused by the death of the phytoplankton. Moreover, the relation of the accident with the phytoplankton will be stated, as this is the basis of the trophic levels and as such, any changes in it will have repercussions on all of the higher levels in the food chain.

After analyzing which species suffered heavy casualties or migrations, the strategies that are currently being used to restore the ecosystem given by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force will be explained in the form of a chart, as this project’s aim is to create awareness about the consequences of an oil spill.

Team members:

MartÌ_n Arteaga

MarÌ_a Camila GonzÌÁlez

Juan Carlos MejÌ_a

Juan Felipe Ribero

MarÌ_a JosÌ© RodrÌ_guez

Luisa Romero.