Posted on 08/05/2010 1:52:22 PM PDT by thackney
Early observations and preliminary research results show most of the oil spilled from the Macondo well is biodegrading quickly, but more research and analysis is needed to determine long-term effects on marine life, a federal science report said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Department of the Interior released a report Aug. 4 outlining measurement methods and best estimates of what happened to the spilled oil. US Environmental Protection Agency scientists also were involved.
More than 25 government and independent scientists contributed to the calculation methods or the calculations. BP PLC, operator of the Macondo well, was not part of the team.
About 33% of the total oil released during the spill was captured or mitigated by burning, skimming, chemical dispersion, and direct recovery from the wellhead. An additional 25% evaporated or naturally dissolved, and 16% was dispersed naturally into microscopic droplets.
The residual amount, estimated at 26%, is either on or just below the water’s surface as residue and weathered tar balls, has washed ashore, or been collected from the shore, or is buried in sand and sediments, the report said.
Dispersed and residual oil remains in the system until it degrades through numerous natural processes, the report said, adding that early indications are that the oil is degrading quickly.
The calculations are based on an estimated 4.9 million bbl of oil released into the gulf. That estimate was released Aug. 2 by the government's Flow Rate Technical Group.
Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator, said, "Less oil on the surface does not mean that there isn't oil still in the water column or that our beaches and marshes aren't still at risk. Knowing generally what happened to the oil helps us better understand areas of risk and likely impacts."
It is well known that the warm gulf contains natural bacteria capable of breaking down oil. Other favorable conditions in the gulf are its nutrient and oxygen levels. Scientists also noted that oil enter the gulf through natural seeps.
The oil budget calculations are based on direct measurements wherever possible and the best available scientific estimates where measurements were not possible, the science report said. The numbers for direct recovery and burns were measured directly and reported in daily operational reports.
The skimming numbers were also based on daily reported estimates. The rest of the numbers were based on previous scientific findings, best available information, and a broad range of scientific expertise. These estimates will continue to be refined, Lubchenco said.
Oh, they've been "pissin' and moanin'" about it all along. Only problem is that most of the dispersant chemicals have already decomposed. But when has truth ever mattered to the anti-chemical "greenies".
Corexit (the dispersant) is a mixture of propylene Glycol and Sulfonic acid, nearly identical to Gain laundry detergent. Americans put lots of it into the ecosystem every time they do a load of clothes.
Apparently the rate of biological degradation of crude oil is directly related to the political affiliation of the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, because the Exxon Valdez oil has yet to degrade. /sarc
Obama boy is still not going to lift the Oil drilling ban until his massah tells him to.
Obama/Soros is helping Petrobas gain equipment and resources.
IIRC, the spill is not directly in that dead zone. It would not have affected fishing so greatly if it was.
I believe that dead zone from fertilizer moves around.
Also, in the dead zone it would slow down the breakdown of oil due to the lack of oxygen.
I guess we do have to be happy that he has thus far kept the seas from rising----and I'm sure his pal Al Gore is happy about that too, what with his new $9 million dollar mansion on the beach.>
“It is well known that the warm gulf contains natural bacteria capable of breaking down oil. Other favorable conditions in the gulf are its nutrient and oxygen levels. Scientists also noted that oil enter the gulf through natural seeps.”
Apparently, oil spills in warm ocean/salt water last a shorter time than spills in cold water in Alaska or off the coast of California.
Dead Zone in Gulf largest since 1985.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=gulf-of-mexico-dead-zone-oil
While the area of the BP oil spill overlaps some parts of the “dead zone,” Rabalais said, “It would be difficult to link conditions seen this summer with oil from the BP spill in either a positive or negative way.”
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Thanks for the info
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