There is a major catastrophe developing off the Gulf Coast in the form of a runaway oil spill. According to an Associated Press article, an explosion last week on the Deepwater Horizon, an oil rig operated by BP, 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana, has continued to leak oil into the Gulf without any success in containment. The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but 11 people are missing and presumed dead. There have been three leaks found so far, including one at the ocean floor which cannot be measured directly. However, the average flow is estimated, from amounts reaching the surface and satellite pictures, to be about 210,000 gallons a day. Initial attempts to trigger a shut-off valve at 5,000 feet below the water’s surface using robot submarines failed. The next plan was to corral the oil against fire-resistant booms and burn it. Experts say that although there are certain health hazards from such an effort, it is a very efficient way to clean up oil spills, with estimates that up to 98 percent of the oil could be eliminated by this method. According to a National Oceanic and Administrative Association (NOAA) paper, oil burning generates sulfur dioxide, nitrous dioxide, as well as carbon monoxide, all of which are toxic. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, some of which have been declared carcinogenic, are also produced but in very small amounts. According to the International Tankers Owners Pollution Federation Limited, the biggest concern in burning oil is the generation of particulates which can be redeposited on land. However, the environmental impact of burning oil is deemed much less than that of allowing the oil to evaporate from the water’s surface. Also, usually the particles that are carried in the smoke are not carried very high up and would only affect land one to two miles away. In this case, there is no land within that distance. Residues from the burn can be harmful to wildlife.
Implementing the oil burning technique requires specific conditions, which is why it is not used often. The oil spill needs to be at least two mm thick, and most small or moderate oil spills diffuse enough so that the slick never reaches that thickness. Also, once oil mixes with water it can form an emulsion which is hard to set alight. Because of the size of the spill, the Coast Guard was able to light a portion on fire as a test case. There were plans to burn the rest of the spill, but weather conditions have produced high winds and choppy waters that haven’t made pursuing this route possible. BP claimed it was going to create a dome on the ocean’s bottom to collect some of the oil leaking underneath the water. The NOAA has said the collection chamber has been completed, but pipes to bring the oil up still need to be installed. This sort of system has never been tried in such deep waters. The most recent figures by a Guardian article state that BP has collected 2.5 million liters of a water-oil mixture for treatment, using 69 vessels. To stop the underwater oil leak, BP will now have to drill a relief well, but that could take three months. If the leak continues at its current rate, in three months it will have spilled more oil than the notorious Exxon Valdez.
The Coast Guard has urged BP to get more extensive technical aid from the Defense Department. The company has said that it would accept help from anyone, however, the Defense Department claims they have not received any requests from BP and no plans to help drawn up. President Obama has already started efforts to bring in the military and other governmental agencies to aid in the clean up. According to the NOAA’s model of the spill, some is expected to reach land this Thursday night, April 29th. Crews installed booms around marshes to try to keep the oil out, but rough sea conditions have been forming waves that have overflowed the booms. Shrimpers and oyster farmers have been allowed to start collecting their stocks early, as the season hasn’t started yet, before the oil completely devastates their populations. They have also been allowed to help skim the oil off the surface of the water. Some have already filed suit against BP for their losses. Yet with all the expected devastation to environments and livelihoods, Virginia’s Governor McDonnell still plans on having Virginia be the first state to start drilling off its coast after President Obama allowed the practice. A Huffington Post article states that Senator Landrieu, a long time supporter of off shore drilling, is still promoting it, although with a little more caution now. It also states that the worst-case scenario for this rig was extrapolated as being a 162,000 gallons a day oil spill, and that BP was not required to file a scenario for a total blow-out.
Do Something About It
If you wish to voice your opinion against further drilling offshore, 350 allows you to send a pre-formed letter to your respective senator, or check out Center for Biological Diversity, which has a pre-formed letter to President Obama and Secretary Ken Salzar. If you prefer petitions, Care2 has one against offshore drillling all ready.
If you liked this article, feel free to check out:
More Good News for Renewable Energy (and the Planet)
Shocking New Estimate Of Wind Energy Potential in the US
How The US Government Can Cut CO2 Emissions
Amazing Uses for Human and Animal Waste
Review of Deep Economy. Read it!
Authors bio is coming up shortly.
I am against further drilling offshore!!!
It should not be allowed any more!!!
I would rather bike to work and deal with any inconveniences then hear about another oil related catastrophe in my life time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please do something about it!!!
Insightful?:
0 
0
Well, the nightmare of the Gulf oil pollution is really a burning question. Your article is worthy contribution to this devasting oil desaster. One has to watch it carefully. In fact I do not harmonise with some minor points all in all Im fully on your way. I am looking forward to next updates, which probably brings help and slows down the oil desaster.
Insightful?:
0 
0
I was listening to an engineer while going to work yesterday who said simply that nothing would stop this oil leak. BP really messed up here and the administration needs to focus on stopping this or the whole coastline will be lost. I doubt this top kill strategy will work but we’ll see. It has never been tried at these depths before. They’re just experimenting now.
Insightful?:
0 
0
This whole disaster will be very unforunate for the environment and with the economy in a number of incomparable methods. This issue would have been baffled however these accidents occur. BP should be held accountable for this new spill.
Insightful?:
0 
0