Oil might remain in the water of a marsh for 20 years . Oyster reefs are immediately in danger and population recovery may be stunted by the oil . That oil tanker ran aground on the Bligh Reef in Alaska 's Prince William Sound in 1989 and spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil . Only about 15 to 20 % of oil can be recovered from oil . Currents can take oil around southern tip of Florida into the Atlantic , Caribbean .
Oil might remain in the water of a marsh for 20 years . Oyster reefs are immediately in danger and population recovery may be stunted by the oil . Only about 15 to 20 % of oil can be recovered from oil . Currents can take oil around southern tip of Florida into the Atlantic , Caribbean .