Human+Impacts+on+the+Tundra+per2

= **HUMAN IMPACT ON THE TUNDRA** =

===__Cause__: The largest oil spill occurred in the tundra of Alaska's North Slope. 267,000 gallons of thick oil spilled over two acres in the Prudhoe Bay. This spill was not detected until over five days after it happened. Officials said they believe the oil escaped through a pin-size hole in the pipe leading to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, but as the oil leaked, the hole became bigger due to the pressure of the leaking oil. ===

===__Effect__: Production facilities forced cleanup crews to work to vacuum and dig up the thick mixture of snow and oil in temperatures below zero degrees. Environmental groups said they have doubts about continuing this project in the Prudhoe Bay. ===

=== __Solution__: Investigators thought this leak occurred because the equipment they were using was so old. Therefore, if they had chosen to use newer equipment instead, this leak could have been avoided. ===