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 leak evaporated or had been collected or burned, but three reports say nearly the opposite . Shrimpers were given the green light. The President and his family swam within the gulf and ate seafood last week. But a University of Georgia (UGA) study found nearly an equal amount of oil in fact remains yet to be recovered and will threaten gulf sea life for years. On the sea floor, a huge toxic oil plume was detected by University of South Florida (USF) scientists. A study published by the American Medical Association (AMA) reports that the oil leak is a long-term threat to human health and gulf seafood safety.
Government oil spill report said crisis is over
Government statements said much of the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010 had been safely dispersed. The Wall Street Journal reports that National Incident Command, which managed the oil spill response, said about half of the 4.9 million gallon BP oil leak had been skimmed or burned. An additional 25 percent had either dissolved or evaporated. UGA researchers at the forefront of investigating underwater oil plumes created by the oil spill said as much as 79 percent of the oil and its toxic byproducts nevertheless remain below the surface. The petrochemicals will take years to break down within the environment, they concluded. The group said it was impossible for dissolved oil to evaporate because only oil at the surface can evaporate. Large plumes of oil are trapped in deep water.
Undersea canyon harbors toxic oil plume
A large portion of the BP oil spill 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. Plankton and other organisms at the base of the food chain showed a “strong toxic response” to the crude. It’s possible the oil could return to the surface. A UGA scientist told CNN that methane and other gases-about a 3rd of the total hydrocarbons within the spill, remain in the water and weren’t documented in the government report.
Gulf seafood safety faces long term threat
The AMA insists that gulf seafood safety could be affected for years by the BP oil spill. The Sacramento Bee reports that in the short term, gulf shellfish have difficulty clearing their systems of dangerous petrochemicals similar to those found in cigarette smoke and soot. Large game fish for instance tuna, swordfish and mackerel will amass high concentrations of mercury within the long term from consuming fish lower food chain. The report said that over time pregnant women and children may be warned by their doctors to keep away from gulf seafood.
Additional reading
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
