Off the BP (NYSE:BP) work site, a 22 mile long and 6 mile wide oil plume has been discovered by the University of South Florida college of Marine Sciences researchers. They say it is preparing to enter a underwater canyon. The effects of this would be devastating.
This massive plume is dangerously close to entering a large underwater canyon, once the crude oil enters this canyon the plants and animals that feed larger organisms will be bathed in a toxic chemical and oil soup. This canyon is responsible for fueling the food chain off the Gulf in Florida.
David Hollander, associate professor of chemical oceanography said, "the plume was detected just beneath the surface down to about 3,300 feet." He said their team found the thickest amounts of hydrocarbons at around 1,300 feet below in the same spot on two separate days this week.
Further testing by the researchers is planned to determine if the hydrocarbons they discovered are from the emulsification of oil or results of dispersants used as they made their way from the well into the sea.
Showing posts with label oceanographer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oceanographer. Show all posts
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) Spill Cleanup, Wildlife Fatalities
As BP (NYSE:BP) continues on with spill cleanup attempts, the pollution caused by oil and chemicals is proving fatal to wildlife. This is just the beginning as oil is hitting our shore lines.
Kim Hubbard, a Audubon photo editor just arrived in Louisiana. She's already seeing the effects of the oil spill on animals, one of her photos include an oiled Kemp's Ridley sea turtle. This is a daily occurrence and collection of oiled wildlife.
On a conference call today with several NOAA officials and U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials, it was reported that eight turtles have been collected, two later died. Of the 66 birds that have come in, 43 have died and 23 are alive and being rehabbed. There is much concern for marine animals as well like manatees, whales, and dolphins.
Robert Weisberg, a physical oceanographer and modeler from the University of South Florida, reported that once the oil hit the loop current it was only a matter of a week before it was carried to Florida's straits and then just another week after that before reaching Miami's straits. The NOAA reported Wednesday that the oil slick had already reached the loop current.
Kim Hubbard, a Audubon photo editor just arrived in Louisiana. She's already seeing the effects of the oil spill on animals, one of her photos include an oiled Kemp's Ridley sea turtle. This is a daily occurrence and collection of oiled wildlife.
On a conference call today with several NOAA officials and U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials, it was reported that eight turtles have been collected, two later died. Of the 66 birds that have come in, 43 have died and 23 are alive and being rehabbed. There is much concern for marine animals as well like manatees, whales, and dolphins.
Robert Weisberg, a physical oceanographer and modeler from the University of South Florida, reported that once the oil hit the loop current it was only a matter of a week before it was carried to Florida's straits and then just another week after that before reaching Miami's straits. The NOAA reported Wednesday that the oil slick had already reached the loop current.
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