Déjà Vu All Over Again: Offshore Oil Platform Explodes in Gulf of Mexico [Updated x5]
Thu, 09/02/2010 - 18:35
Image: Google Maps
Thankfully, No Deaths This Time
An offshore oil platform exploded and caught fire today in the Gulf of Mexico. It is located about 80 miles off the Louisiana coast, west of the site of BP's massive oil spill. All 13 people who were on the rig were evacuated and only one was injured, reports the U.S.
Alexandra Cousteau, the Ocean Ambassador (Podcast)
Thu, 09/02/2010 - 18:14
Gulf Oil Plume Gone, Eaten By Newly Discovered Microbes
Wed, 08/25/2010 - 15:56
Analysis by Berkeley Lab revealed the dominant microbe in the dispersed Gulf of Mexico oil plume was a new species, closely related to members of Oceanospirillalesfamily.
Innovative Mapping Project Tracks Gulf Oil With Kites and Balloons (Slideshow)
Wed, 08/25/2010 - 15:31
Image credit: Grassroots Mapping Project, jeferonix/Flickr
Though a cap has sealed the leak, the Gulf oil spill disaster is still far from over.
Feelgoodz Flip-Flops An Unwitting Casualty of Gulf Oil Spill
Thu, 08/19/2010 - 17:53
While not exactly on the same scale as fishing and tourism taking a huge hit from the Gulf oil spill, Change.org highlights an unwitting and unexpected casualty of it all: Feelgoodz flip-flops. The ethically-sourced, all natural rubber, footwear start-up is sitting on thousands of unsold shoes and may be unable to repay a $50,000 loan that got them started.
Sylvia Earle on the Gulf Disaster and Saving the Seas (Podcast)
Thu, 08/19/2010 - 16:47
She's truly one of the ocean's best friends. Sylvia Earle's career--and it's an epic one-- has been all about protecting and exploring the sea she loves so deeply. Earle served as chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was Time's very first Hero for the Planet, and was handed the exalted TED Prize in 2009.
Gulf Oil Plumes More Toxic to Microorganisms Than Thought
Thu, 08/19/2010 - 15:42
photo: Wikipedia
Preliminary results from experiments done by University of South Florida scientists on the toxicity of microscopic drops of oil in the undersea plumes from the BP spill show that they may be more toxic than previously believed. The researchers say the dispersed oil appears to be having a toxic effect on bacteria and phytoplankton.
Nearly 80% of Oil From Gulf Spill Remains in Water, Threatens Ecosystem: Independent Analysis
Tue, 08/17/2010 - 16:06
photo: Tabitha Kaylee Hawk via flickr
A new report from the University of Georgia and the Georgia Sea Grant contends that the amount of oil remaining in the water in the wake of the Gulf oil spill is far higher than reported. In fact 70-79% of oil not captured at the wellhead by BP still poses a threat to the ecosystem. That's 2.9-3.2 million barrels of oil still in the water.
BP Fined a Record $50 Million for Texas Refinery Explosion
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 16:52
Photo via SymonSez
To all those who've voiced concern that the federal government is just being too hard on poor ol' BP (here's looking at you Rep. Barton), perhaps you should take note of the following: There's a reason that BP needs to be held accountable for considerable damage its caused.
