Jun 9, 2010

Is an oil spill on the East Coast near? Gulf Stream model shows a frightening possibility

Today brings reports of 15-feet-deep sludgy water, a Gulf Stream simulation predicting oil movement up the East Coast and a filmmaker who says there is a media blackout quelling coverage of the ceaselessly gushing Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Fifty days into this tragedy and the U.S. government cannot estimate just how much red-rust filth is spewing from an uncontrollable leak in the earth's crust.

Is there a culture among oil industry leaders and government officials that lacks accountability and the responsibility of environmental stewardship? Seems so.

Alas, it gets deeper.

Today Rich Matthews, an Associated Press writer, described his dive into the Gulf. As he lowers into the water, his goggles immediately smear with globs of putrid, deadly oil.

"The oil is so thick and sticky, almost like a cake batter. It does not wipe off. You have to scrape it off, in layers until you finally get close to the skin. Then you pour on some Dawn dishwashing soap and scrub. I think to myself: No fish, no bird, no turtle would ever be able to clean this off of themselves. If any animal, any were to end up in this same puddle there is almost no way they could escape," wrote Matthews.
Deepwater Horizon isn't the only accident that has Department of the Interior and oil industry experts stumped.

The leak at the drilling rig Ocean Saratoga in the Gulf of Mexico has been leaking on and off--it's not clear how much-- for up to six years.

"Assuming the leakage rate was always 14 daily gallons, that’s more than 30,600 gallons since 2004," according to Time.

Given that there are thousands of oil wells in the Gulf, it's not surprising that small spills are the norm.

The Deepwater spill promises that there is much more at stake. An informed public that catches a corporation raping mother earth in mid-act does not take the situation lightly. What's terrifying for the oil industry is possibility that Americans could realize we all share the blame.

It is illogical to suppose that complacency has created a culture allowing oil to flow uncontrollably. No one wants to see tar balls floating in the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf -- oil companies included. American demand for oil ensures that this black gold is accounted for to the best of their abilities.

Meanwhile, Memorial Day kicked off another summer swim season.

And AccuWeather's Carly Porter warns that there is a high likelihood of the East Coast's Gulf Stream snagging tar balls and washing them along the eastern seaboard. There is a 100 percent chance that the sludge will hit Pensacola this week and a 40 percent chance that Key West will see tar balls wash up on its shores in the same period. Click here for details.

The University Corporation of Atmospheric Research released this simulation that predicts that after three months, oil will have seeped to North Carolina's coast and beyond:



Humans lack the understanding and technology to stand up against geologic pressure and ocean currents that contain more complexity and power that we care to imagine or acknowledge.

President Barack Obama said he's looking for an ass to kick over this.

The anger rising among us should be channeled and put to use finding a real solution to the conundrum we have found ourselves in. We are the ones we have been waiting for!

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