Chemicals

Chemicals

Chemicals may be introduced into the environment from wind and marine renewable energy devices through leaching from surfaces coated with anti-biofouling paints or anti-corrosion coatings, or from spills of petroleum-based chemicals such as oils and greases (most of these devices carry small amounts of petroleum-based chemicals). Slow leaching of biocides and other chemicals may have chronic effects on organisms if the concentrations in the water or ground increase to significant levels, causing changes in development, reproductive success, and feeding. Spills tend to produce acute (immediate) effects on organisms, including suffocation, poisoning, or respiratory distress. Petroleum-based spills at sea can also disperse and cause long-term chronic toxicity. Slow leaching of biocides is most likely to affect small residential species near the device, although they may be magnified up the food chain to animals such as large birds, predatory fish, and mammals.

_{Photo Credit: "Heavy Band of Oil" by NOAA}