Merged Gulf oil spill more serious than reported

[MG1962]

This particular spill has the issue that it can get in and around the fish nurseries. That causes the situation you dont just loose fish to the oil but you break the breeding cycle as well as food chain

One area the media is talking up for the wrong reason is the appearence of tar balls. Thats actually a good thing, it means the oil floating on the surface is breaking up. It looks like crap, smells like crap, but it is definately the better of the two evils

 

[Travis]

It is serious. If for no other reason than it may devastate the already depressed economy of the Gulf Coast.

And I think the reason this so unnerving is the open ended nature of it. When a tanker leaks there is a finite amount of oil that could enter the ecosystem. But with a wellhead the amount is only limited by time and how much oil is in the natural reservoir.

 

[Puppycow]

Is it true that sunlight will break down the oil? How long will that process take?

 

[EHocking]

The amounts over the spill have already been declared so in this case, the well is excreting large amounts of VOC's and other toxins.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/07/eveningnews/main6558403.shtml
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/26/gulf-oil-spill-cleanup-wo_n_591346.html
http://www.salon.com/wires/allwires/2010/05/26/D9FV02100_us_gulf_oil_spill_illness/index.html

Wow, look how wrong you are. People are getting sick and some companies are pulling their boats out of the Gulf for that very reason. I guess it's placebo in your mind?

Any logical person can see that if clouds of toxins (which are already proven to exist) came inland into populations of people that it would be a problem.

At the moment it is not happening, and unlikely to as the volatiles are most likely to evaporate while the oil is offshore.

According to the EPA, which is doing the monitoring, these "clouds of toxins" have not been proven to exist;
"Historical data on oil spills indicate that VOCs are likely to evaporate, disperse and/or react quickly after the oil reaches the surface of the water. This may be why we are seeing relatively low VOC levels on land."

You calling me clueless, in light of your ignorance, is somewhat of a compliment, so thank you. I am so glad to be clueless in your world of denial.

Reliance on only the media for information will trip anyone up.

 

[kevinquinnyo]

It is serious. If for no other reason than it may devastate the already depressed economy of the Gulf Coast.

That's economic. I don't doubt that one bit.

I'm asking, why is this an ecological catastrophe?

And I think the reason this so unnerving is the open ended nature of it. When a tanker leaks there is a finite amount of oil that could enter the ecosystem. But with a wellhead the amount is only limited by time and how much oil is in the natural reservoir.

Agreed.

 

[kevinquinnyo]

This particular spill has the issue that it can get in and around the fish nurseries. That causes the situation you dont just loose fish to the oil but you break the breeding cycle as well as food chain

Was the last big oil spill in the gulf in the 70s less dangerous with regard to fish breeding than this one? About the same? Was that one also a catastrophe?

 

[Without Rights]

Not at all. I was just wondering why you seemed to think the media wasn't reporting this info.

I think the point others are making is that there is also a big difference between what the media reports & scientific reality.

Do you have a link to a mainstream media outlet that is talking about the toxins being released? I have yet to see any.

 

[Without Rights]

One reason you're freaked out is because the media have been having a field day scaring the hell out of everyone with this story. Many are making it out to be the end of the world, figuratively speaking.

It's bad, but it isn't that bad. There are far worse ecological disasters in the world than this. For example, take a look at some of the stuff going on in Nigeria.

I suggest turning off the TV and no longer reading "news" stories about the horrors associated with this spill. That should calm you down a bit.

You recommend closing you eyes to this disaster so you wont scare yourself?

 

[Without Rights]

At the moment it is not happening, and unlikely to as the volatiles are most likely to evaporate while the oil is offshore.

Benzene and other "heavier than air" VOC's form a smog and can travel up to 500 miles.

According to the EPA, which is doing the monitoring, these "clouds of toxins" have not been proven to exist;

Wrong, they do exist. Actually the EPA recorded a 1192 ppb of h2s at their Venice testing station on May 3rd. May 4th it dropped 46ppb and May 5th it was back up to 1010ppb. This shows that the wind is bringing the toxins onshore at levels way above what is considered safe. The EPA says these short terms when levels go way up are not a concern but they are lying.

"Historical data on oil spills indicate that VOCs are likely to evaporate, disperse and/or react quickly after the oil reaches the surface of the water. This may be why we are seeing relatively low VOC levels on land."

There is no historical data that compares to this spill. If you disagree, then I would like an example of this historic data. And levels are only low if you discount the huge spikes that have been recorded, but even the low levels recorded are 400% higher than what is considered safe.

Reliance on only the media for information will trip anyone up.

So I should listen to BP?

 

[aggle-rithm]

It's bad, but it isn't that bad. There are far worse ecological disasters in the world than this. For example, take a look at some of the stuff going on in Nigeria.

Wow, that sounds pretty bad! But, just to be sure, let's hold up a Sherwin-Williams paint sample card to the skin of the people affected:

.....

Huh! I guess it's not so bad after all.

 

[aggle-rithm]

You recommend closing you eyes to this disaster so you wont scare yourself?

Unless I'm someone who can do something about it, that sounds like a good strategy.

 

[dudalb]

One reason you're freaked out is because the media have been having a field day scaring the hell out of everyone with this story. Many are making it out to be the end of the world, figuratively speaking.

It's bad, but it isn't that bad. There are far worse ecological disasters in the world than this. For example, take a look at some of the stuff going on in Nigeria.

I suggest turning off the TV and no longer reading "news" stories about the horrors associated with this spill. That should calm you down a bit.

The spill is bad, but fearmongering, paranoia, and BS scare stories will only make matters worse.

 

[dudalb]

Do you have a link to a mainstream media outlet that is talking about the toxins being released? I have yet to see any.

I knew a Conspiracy Theory was coming......

 

[Without Rights]

The Nigerian oil spills have amounted to 100 million barrels over a thirty year period. That amounts to 3400 barrels a day. Gulf estimates are now as high as 80,000 barrels per day.

Nigerians have suffered benzene induced diseases from the oil spills, loss of vegetation, acid rain, as well as loss of wildlife. This proves the implications are not limited to wildlife only. People who live along the Gulf will suffer much the same way that Nigerians have suffered.

 

[Without Rights]

Unless I'm someone who can do something about it, that sounds like a good strategy.

Sounds like the strategy of a dolt. Perhaps you would also like to cover your ears and start yelling La-La-La.

 

[Without Rights]

I knew a Conspiracy Theory was coming......

I knew a fallacious argument was coming......

 

[dudalb]

Did you get your expertise in geology at the same place you got your expertise in medicine?

 

[MattusMaximus]

You recommend closing you eyes to this disaster so you wont scare yourself?

No, I recommend paying more attention to professionals who actually know what they're talking about versus the vast majority of the news media who seem only to be interested in sensationalizing the story as much as possible.

But some people think ranting mindlessly is fun... okay fine.

 

[MattusMaximus]

So I should listen to BP?

Nah, just keep listening to the creepy voices in your head, since they've served you well thus far

 

[bit_pattern]

No, I recommend paying more attention to professionals who actually know what they're talking about versus the vast majority of the news media who seem only to be interested in sensationalizing the story as much as possible.

But some people think ranting mindlessly is fun... okay fine.

The same professionals that allowed this to happen because of their gross mismanagement and slavish devotion to profit over safety? Yah, OK...