How does an oil spill affect organisms that come to the surface to breathe, like dolphins or sea turtles? oil sinks, so these organisms are not affected. when these air breathing organisms come to the surface they rise above the oil to breath so they are not negatively impacted. oil only accumulates on the skin of these organisms, so this does not affect their breathing. when these air breathing organisms come to the surface to breathe they risk ingestion of oil which can lead to sickness. pleass im !