Scientists are challenging the optimistic scenario presented by a government oil leak report. National Event Command had concluded in a report that the majority of the BP oil spill evaporated or had been collected or burned, but three reports say nearly the opposite . Shrimping areas were expanded. The President and his family swam in the gulf and ate seafood last week. But a University of Georgia (UGA) study estimates that three quarters of the oil hasn’t been recovered and remains a long-term threat to the ecosystem. A massive oil plume was found on the sea floor by University of South Florida (USF)researchers. An American Medical Association (AMA) study concludes that the oil leak will threaten human health and gulf seafood safety for the long term. Post resource – Government oil spill report disputed by 3 different studies by Newystype.com.
Government oil spill report said spill has been dispersed
Most of the oil leak within the Gulf of Mexico 2010 has been safely dispersed, according to government statements. The Wall Street Journal reports that National Event Command, which managed the oil leak response, said about half of the 4.9 million gallon BP oil leak had been skimmed or burned. Evaporation and dissolution handled an additional 25 percent. UGA researchers at the forefront of investigating underwater oil plumes created by the oil leak said as much as 79 percent of the oil and its toxic byproducts still remain below the surface. The petrochemicals will take years to break down within the environment, they concluded. The scientists pointed out the clear fact that 25 percent of the oil could not have evaporated unless it was on the surface. Large oil plumes remain deep below the surface throughout the spill area.
Oil plume settles in ocean floor canyon
A large portion of the BP oil leak has settled to the bottom of the gulf further east than previously suspected, as outlined by the USF team. As reported by CNN, USF scientists conclude that dispersants mixed with oil to create a massive cloud of droplets floating near the bottom in an undersea canyon about 40 miles from the Florida panhandle. The toxic chemicals within the crude are having a profound effect on plankton and other organisms at the base of the food chain. The oil could resurface later. A UGA researcher told CNN that a 3rd of the hydrocarbons in the form of methane and other gas emissions that remain within the water weren’t measured by the government.
Major questions about gulf seafood safety
The BP oil leak will affect gulf seafood safety for years as outlined by the AMA. In the short term, the Sacramento Bee reports that gulf shellfish will retain dangerous petrochemicals likened to cigarette smoke and soot. By consuming fish lower in the food chain, big game fish for instance tuna, swordfish and mackerel will accumulate high concentrations of mercury in the long term. As time goes on, the report said doctors may be warning pregnant women and kids to strictly limit the amount of gulf seafood they eat.
Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704868604575434074237252604.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories
CNN
cnn.com/2010/US/08/17/gulf.oil.disaster/index.html?npt=NP1
Sacramento Bee
sacbee.com/2010/08/17/2963788/gulf-oil-spill-still-a-threat.html
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