NOAA Research Ship finds depleted oxygen at 1100 meters

[Cetacea]

"The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Monday released new data from the agency's latest research trip through the Gulf of Mexico, showing concentrations of oil below the surface at more than 3,600 feet below the surface, about 7.5 nautical miles southwest of the BP's blown-out well.

The Thomas Jefferson research ship found evidence of depleted oxygen, a potential sign of microbes digesting oil, in the area. Acoustic and fluorometric instruments likewise indicated the presence of oil. Water samples taken on the trip have not been analyzed.

Since the leak began April 20, attention has been focused on surface oil washing up on environmentally fragile shoreline ecosystems. But "plumes" or "clouds" of oil hovering in the water column below the surface, where myriad marine life eat, breed and swim, has as much or more potential to cause ecological damage to the Gulf, scientists have warned.

The first evidence of undersea concentrations of oil was revealed by University of South Florida scientists, and was subsequently confirmed by NOAA. Monday's results generally coincide with previous data."

Not good.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/06/gulf-oil-spill-undersea-oil-masses-confirmed-in-tests.html

[HereSince1628]

1. I assumed that methane must be pushing other dissolved gases out

of the water...this blow-out is nearly half methane.

The crisis for complex oxygen dependent life is huge.

[truedelphi]

2. Your sig line, which would have been interesting and

Enjoyable maybe three months ago, now resonates with poignancy.

Dolphins. We humans truly needed to learn dolphinese a long time ago.

And K & R for the article.

[Cetacea]

4. YW. Related: sharks showing up in shallow waters

From June 16:

Meanwhile, sea animals such as dolphins and sharks are appearing in the shallow water just off the coast of Florida. Other animals are congregating by the thousands off a pier in Alabama and oil soaked birds are disappearing into marshes. Scientists find this a troubling phenomena.

Animals are fleeing the Gulf Coast oil spill and trying to get to the cleaner waters near the coast. This sign is not hopeful. In fact, it is negative because it means that the animals’ habitat is very badly polluted. Fish are also going to run out of oxygen.




http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978307404

[Swamp Rat]

3. Hypoxia: it's what's for dinner

[Cetacea]

5. Great work.

I hope you are doing ok.

[JuniperLea]

6. You know I love your work, Swamp Rat...

I really hate that you are being given so much inspriation lately.

:hug:

Hope all is well with you.

[Swamp Rat]

7. I am at my wit's end.

:hug:

[JuniperLea]

8. No doubt...

I cannot imagine being so close to the worst, upon worst... over and over... that you can keep going through all this is a testament to you.