BP / Gulf Oil Spill - Curb Your Enthusiasm, Part 3
Yesterday the federal government weighed in on a complex topic: what happened to all the oil that spilled into the Gulf of Mexico from BP’s blown-out Macondo well? The joint report by NOAA and USGS lead some, including EPA director Carol Browner, to make the claim that most of the oil that spewed into the Gulf this summer — an estimated total of 206 million gallons — is gone. Collected, burned, biodegraded or otherwise destroyed. Scientists have raised serious objections.
OK, let’s take a look at the actual report. According to the “Oil Budget Chart” above (Figure 1 in their report), NOAA estimates only 25% of the oil has been diverted, collected or otherwise definitively destroyed. The remaining 75% is still on or below the water’s surface or buried in marsh and beach sediments (26%); or it evaporated or dissolved (25%), was naturally dispersed (16%), or was chemically dispersed (8%).
Evaporation probably has moved a lot of the hydrocarbon out of the water and into the air. But “dissolved” and “dispersed” are not the same thing as “gone.” (Try drinking a nice tall glass of tea with a few spoonfuls of salt dissolved in it, and you’ll get what I mean.) NOAA is assuming rapid biodegradation of the dispersed and dissolved oil, which may be reasonable in relative terms — i.e., biodegradation in the hot Gulf is quicker than biodegradation in the frigid Arctic. But with no data provided on the actual rates of biodegradation, we don’t have any way of knowing just how much of the oil has naturally biodegraded at this point. We also don’t know what the intermediate breakdown products are, and what they do in the environment, and how long they last. Pesky but very important questions that can’t be answered quickly, or without a dedicated research effort that hopefully (??) is underway.
Total up the categories NOAA describes as “currently being degraded naturally” and you get 50% of the spilled amount, a whopping 103 million gallons (2.45 million barrels) of oil. That’s almost 10 times the size of the official Exxon Valdez spill.
Take the report at face value, agreeing that “only” 26% of the oil remains active in the environment, and you’re still talking about 50+ million gallons, almost 5 Exxon Valdez spills.
Read the original story at SkyTruth
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Online: | |
| Visits: | 1,656,107,663 |
| Stories: | 8,292,416 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
