From the Huffington Post:
GULFPORT, Miss. — Scientists say the Gulf oil spill could get into the what's called the Loop Current within a day, eventually carrying oil south along the Florida coast and into the Florida Keys.
Nick Shay, a physical oceanographer at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, said Monday once the oil enters the Loop Current, it likely will end up in the Keys and continue east into the Gulf Stream.
Shay says the oil could affect Florida's beaches, coral reefs, fisheries and ecosystem within a week.
He described the Loop Current as similar to a "conveyor belt," sweeping around the Gulf, through the Keys and right up the East Coast.
Shay says he cannot think of any scenario where the oil doesn't eventually reach the Florida Keys.
There is nothing further that needs be said, is there? We are ruined if it does land here.
GULFPORT, Miss. — Scientists say the Gulf oil spill could get into the what's called the Loop Current within a day, eventually carrying oil south along the Florida coast and into the Florida Keys.Nick Shay, a physical oceanographer at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, said Monday once the oil enters the Loop Current, it likely will end up in the Keys and continue east into the Gulf Stream.
Shay says the oil could affect Florida's beaches, coral reefs, fisheries and ecosystem within a week.
He described the Loop Current as similar to a "conveyor belt," sweeping around the Gulf, through the Keys and right up the East Coast.
Shay says he cannot think of any scenario where the oil doesn't eventually reach the Florida Keys.
There is nothing further that needs be said, is there? We are ruined if it does land here.
22 comments:
Nope, nothing more needs to be said.
Dear Conchscooter:
I watched the news about the burning oil rig with trepidation, saying to Leslie, "This is just the beginning."
For years, we have been bullshitted about the safety mechanisms on these oil rigs. They are supposed to clam up, shut themslves off, and drip only 50 gallons (or something like that) if the lines are ripped from the ocean floor.
I guess it was all oil company bullshit. They can't guarantee that anything will work they way they sait will.
Now here is predictable reading:
"The Obama administration has kept the focus on BP to pay for and assume responsibility for the oil spill disaster, which started with an explosion April 20 on the Deepwater Horizon rig that killed 11 workers."
Does this stupid gull of a President think the total worth of British Petroleum is equal to the loss of the US fisheries, of the tourist industry, of miles of coastline, of millions of jobs? BP could go under tomorrow.
It has taken two weeks for BP for come up with the steel dome solution. Why weren't domes ready for this sort thing years ago? Why isn't the entire oil industry scrambling to deal with this?
This oil slick will be on New Jersey beaches by June. it will be killing fish on the Flemish cap by July.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Terrific. Thanks BP and big oil.
Florida Reef Tract = 1000 km^2. Florida Coral Reef Protection Act damage assessment (for areas larger than 10 m^2): $1000/m^2, or a cool $1 billion for the privilege of killing off America's only living barrier reef. Hardly seems adequate.
I cannot imagine the Florida Keys will have much of an economy if the reef is dead and mangroves are coated in impossible-to-remove crude oil. Life here will become intolerable for humans as well as wildlife if the crude comes even close to these islands.
The strange thing is that if it continues for three months like this, it will put out about half as much oil as naturally seeps in to the Gulf of Mexico in the course of an average year.
From what I could find, a reasonable estimate of natural seepage in the Gulf appears to be about 140,000 metric tons of oil per year, but the real figure could be more then ten times that.
Of course, the natural seepage is spread out and not very noticeable like when so much comes from a single source.
I think the other thing to bear in mind is that this is heavy crude that was contained under pressure which i beleive make sit of a different and more dangerous consistency.
I live in Houston and know some people who work for BP. The only word I can think to describe their mood is despondent. They know they screwed up. They know they are responsible, and they don't love our beaches any less than the rest of us.
Naturally seeping oil, people at BP love beaches?
What? Is somebody from BP searching the blogs, and attempting damage control of the company's image?
One thing's for sure. There will be a giant corporate lawyer pissing match for years to come. In the meantime much damage will be done. It's really sad. Hopefully our guvnment will not step in and bail them all out. Lord knows they have lots of lobbying power.
the whole thing overwhelming. Its sad to think of the lives this is going to destroy(human and animal). Ive always said humans are going to distroy themselves, and we slowly are and taking everything else with us.
This whole disaster has changed my opinion of off shore drilling,i would pay a few more cents or dollars for gas if that's what it would take to keep our natural resources safe.
Buffalo Bill
Drill a hole in the backside of Mother Nature and she'll bleed. However she bleeds she is still in control. And we are not.
Dear Folks:
BP is now saying they are not responsible for the spill.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
I can't even convey how upset I am by this oil situation. I love the Gulf Coast and have traveled it every chance I get. From Galveston to the Florida Keys, there isn't a spot of it I wouldn't trade my soul to live out the rest of my days there. The impact this is going to have on all of us cannot even be realized yet. Our Earth's water supply is in danger, as our natural filtering system, the Everglades will possibly die from this. How can we stand by and wait as this gets worse and worse? But what can we do? And to think, for years we were worried about the Bomb taking us out. I think this might be the nail in our coffin. Conch, my heart is with you there in the Keys. I hope somehow this never makes it there, but my head tells me it's inevitable. Hang in there.
The people at BP are people. There is no sense demonizing them. If KYPD had an incident where they beat 20 homeless people on the street I wouldn't suddenly believe that conchscooter is some sought of monster because he works for them.
I think this situation is being understated, yet I can't quite put my finger on why. Perhaps it is the aftertaste of Katrina, and perhaps it's something else.
What a fubar.
Am headed who knows where after the weekend to try to help with beach clean-up.
There is some sort of meeting today by honchos in the Keys to discuss what to do in the Keys and they are planning a public meeting next week. Of all the srew ups possible, natural or human made i never thought about this- even after it first started spewing oil. I hope that whatever happens the true cost of oil is understood and we get a ten year national plan, not to put Neil Armstring on the moon but to have solar panels on every roof and wind turbines whever they are less ugly than an oil spill.
Perhaps something good can come out of this.
On the subject of blame I have read that Dick Cheney's secret mneetings with energy leaders led to reduced regulation and oversight of drilling including no requirmeent to install $500,000 automatic shut offs of drill heads. half a million seems such a small number to me but I suppose it could be true. I hope BP employees from the top are taken by force to view the muck. They are as responsible as any cop that violates a person's civil rights.
For years we kept hearing that "alternative energy is good but it's too far into the future. We need the oil." Somehow the "American can-do" spirit goes away in this debate. Anyone been watching "America the history of Us" on History Sunday nights? God, we can't get out of our way to get really serious about energy (remember how Carter was demonized for saying we've got to get off the addiction). I just simply reject the notion that we can get off of most of the oil in 10 years. Yes, it will be complicated, with some winners and some losers, but tough shit. Do it anyway. I cannot tell how how sad I am if/when this reaches the Keys.
Mr Conchscooter:
I would feel so sad if the oil reached your shores. The smell alone would be nauseating. To think they want to put drilling platforms off the coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands. Lots of debate going on up here now.
We have the Alaska Pipeline that keeps getting bombed by a fanatical group or person who wants the oil companies OUT. Last time they plugged the damage before much oil could leak out.
then we had the Exxon Valdez up in Alaska then we forbid ships to use the inside passage along the coast.
I see from the news that Louisiana is wrecked. they will not be able to clean up the oil because of the strong currents and the marshlands.
you can't even begin to start the cleanup until you plug the source.
I feel so sorry for you all right now
bob
Wet Coast Scootin
Thank you bob. In Alaska they paid fishermen to wash rocks (while denying responsibility for the spill)around here you can't wash mangroves or estuaries. I hope they cap this mess and we learn the necessary lesson without having the suffer all the consequences of this incident...
"Drill baby, drill." Wasn't that the Republican motto in 2008?
D
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