Scientists cast doubt on claims BP spill's no threat to Gulf

[babylonsister]

Good. I don't believe it for a second.


Scientists cast doubt on claims BP spill's no threat to Gulf

By Erika Bolstad, Renee Schoof and Margaret Talev | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — Many scientists say they're skeptical of a widely publicized government report Wednesday that concludes much of the oil that gushed from BP's leaking well is gone and poses little threat to the Gulf of Mexico.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the "vast majority" of the 4.9 million barrels released into the Gulf has either evaporated "or been burned, skimmed, and recovered from the wellhead, or dispersed."

"I'm suspect if that's accurate or not," said Ronald Kendall, the director of the Institute of Environmental and Human Health at Texas Tech University and one of the scientists who testified Wednesday at a congressional hearing about the need for more research into the composition and use of chemical dispersants to break up the oil in the Gulf.

"It's an estimate and I'd like to say that even if it's true, there are still 50 to 60 million gallons that are still out there," he said. "It's too early to draw the conclusion that the coast is clear, but there are species there that will tell us.''

The White House used the report to boost public confidence that the accident at BP's drilling site, which killed 11 workers, fouled the Gulf, killed wildlife and disrupted the regional economies from Texas to Florida, is now behind the nation.

Many scientists, however, questioned both the rosy White House assessment and the administration's motives, timing and record of estimating how much oil was flowing from the well.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/08/04/98658/scientists-skeptical-of-obama.html

[ThomWV]

1. No one in the United States, let alone any Politician, has ever listened to a Scientist

because the Bible is so much easier to understand.

[metapunditedgy]

2. I hope there is no retribution against these scientists. They need funding,

and the grant processes gets very political at some point.

[mod mom]

3. Thanks for posting this. I was waiting to hear what scientists

w/o an agenda had to say. rec'd

[SammyWinstonJack]

4. Rec.