Research on the environmental impact of the petroleum industry began in earnest , during the mid to late 20th century , as the oil industry developed and expanded . Large scale transport of crude oil increased as a result of the increasing worldwide demand for oil , subsequently increasing the number of oil spills . Oil spills provided perfect opportunities for scientists to examine the in situ effects of crude oil exposure to marine ecosystems , and collaborative efforts between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) and the United States Coast Guard resulted in improved response efforts and detailed research on oil pollution 's effects . The Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 , and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 , both resulted in increased scientific knowledge on the specific effects of oil pollution toxicity to marine fish
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Oil pollution toxicity to marine fish