Because of the massive use of two types of Corexit dispersant, some earlier reports have stated that only about 2% of oil reached the surface, where it was also massively sprayed with Corexit, and most of the oil remains deep and continually diffusing with its wellhead injected Corexit into the Gulf waters.
The “plumes” of Corexit have been confirmed, and further information as to the fate of the deep oil combined with Corexit are lacking. Corexit has been described as the most toxic of all dispersants, and several times more toxic than oil.
The fate of the different ingredients that comprise Corexit are well known, as is that of oil. Corexit naturally decomposes with a half-life of 10-20 days. The oil is eaten by bacteria. And yes, some green propaganda "does" describe Corexit "as the most toxic of all dispersants, and several times more toxic than oil". Which, of course, is not true. The hoopla about Corexit "toxicity" is simply more green scare propaganda.