Really depressing Guardian UK story on the BP oil gusher

[marmar]

Biologists find 'dead zones' around BP oil spill in Gulf
Methane at 100,000 times normal levels have been creating oxygen-depleted areas devoid of life near BP's Deepwater Horizon spill, according to two independent scientists

Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 30 June 2010 19.49 BST


Scientists are confronting growing evidence that BP's ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico is creating oxygen-depleted "dead zones" where fish and other marine life cannot survive.

In two separate research voyages, independent scientists have detected what were described as "astonishingly high" levels of methane, or natural gas, bubbling from the well site, setting off a chain of reactions that suck the oxygen out of the water. In some cases, methane concentrations are 100,000 times normal levels.

Other scientists as well as sport fishermen are reporting unusual movements of fish, shrimp, crab and other marine life, including increased shark sightings closer to the Alabama coast.

Larry Crowder, a marine biologist at Duke University, said there were already signs that fish were being driven from their habitat.

"The animals are already voting with their fins to get away from where the oil spill is and where potentially there is oxygen depletion," he said. "When you begin to see animals changing their distribution that is telling you about the quality of water further offshore. Basically, the fish are moving closer to shore to try to get to better water." ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/30/biolo...

[rzemanfl]

1. The Brits get their news late. Of course they have to send it via

the transatlantic cable in morse code....

[Subdivisions]

2. I just finished reading that not five minutes ago. The disturbing nevers stops with this thing. n/t

[pnwmom]

3. I'm glad the Guardian published this, since I'd read that the British public

thought the U.S. was treating B.P. unfairly.

[obxhead]

4. A British friend of mine asked me if we would be acting the same way

toward a company from the US or another country. Hell yes we would. It's not the origin of the offender, it's the offense itself that is causing the outrage.

Hell I still won't buy gas at an Exxon station.

[depakid]

5. Newsflash: Americans own about as much of BP as to the British

and Americans have NEVER hesitated to screw anyone and everyone else over for a profit.

The real question therefore is: how do Americans react WHEN they cause environmental disasters elsewhere.

[pnwmom]

7. But not proportionately. From what I understand, BP stock is a larger portion

of pension funds, etc., in the UK.

[Mimosa]

6. They're beginning to understand

Last month and earlier the British media was full of stories accusing President Obama's of 'belligerence'and 'rabble-rousing'. Some UK newspaper stories claimed there were anti-British feelings here. I haven't heard or read even one anti-Brit opinion. It's all anti-BP. And lately more is emerging about their cost-cutting business practices. CNN has been covering it well.