As much as 105,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the water along the California coastline after a pipeline burst near Santa Barbara on Tuesday. With only 7,700 gallons of "oily water mixture" removed, and much of what remains spreading out into the Pacific, the cleanup is becoming increasingly difficult.
© AP Photo / Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire DepartmentThis photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department shows an oil slick from a broken pipeline off the central California coast near Santa Barbara on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Capt. Dave Zaniboni of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department says the pipeline on the land near Refugio State Beach broke Tuesday and spilled oil into a culvert that ran beneath US 101 and into the ocean.
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© AP Photo / Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department
This photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department shows an oil slick from a broken pipeline off the central California coast near Santa Barbara on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Capt. Dave Zaniboni of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department says the pipeline on the land near Refugio State Beach broke Tuesday and spilled oil into a culvert that ran beneath US 101 and into the ocean.
© AFP 2023 / ROBYN BECKLocal residents Josh Marsh and Morgan Miller scan the oil-covered rocks at Refugio State Beach for animals who may have been affected by the spill.
Local residents Josh Marsh and Morgan Miller scan the oil-covered rocks at Refugio State Beach for animals who may have been affected by the spill.
© AP Photo / Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire DepartmentAn oil slick from a broken pipeline off the central California coast.
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© AP Photo / Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department
An oil slick from a broken pipeline off the central California coast.
© AFP 2023 / ROBYN BECKOil covers a local resident's boot at Refugio State Beach in Goleta, California.
Oil covers a local resident's boot at Refugio State Beach in Goleta, California.
© AFP 2023 / ROBYN BECKA brown pelican is reflected in an oil slick in the water.
A brown pelican is reflected in an oil slick in the water.
© REUTERS / Lucy NicholsonWorkers clean up around the source of the oil leak.
Workers clean up around the source of the oil leak.
© AFP 2023 / Robin BeckOfficers from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) set up a restricted area along Refugio State Beach.
Officers from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) set up a restricted area along Refugio State Beach.
© REUTERS / Lucy NicholsonThe oil slick, visible along the coast of Refugio State Beach.
The oil slick, visible along the coast of Refugio State Beach.