Bacteria made quick work of the tons of methane that billowed into the Gulf of Mexico along with oil from the Deepwater Horizon blowout, clearing the natural gas from the waterway within months of its release, researchers reported Friday. Full Story »
Posted by Jon Mitchell - via Wall Street Journal (Most Emailed), Google News (Business), Slatest
This story treats very lightly the fact that this was a government-funded study, and it tries to editorially gloss over the damage from the oil and the chemical dispersants, making this study seem more significant.
The peer-reviewed evidence presented in this article is difficult to refute: apparently natural microbic action has rapidly cleared much of the contamination introduced into the Gulf of Mexico following the 2010 BP oil rig disaster. This is not to imply that all contaminants have simply disappeared; considerable sludge remains on the ocean floor.
Of course Doomsday critics will never be convinced, despite overwhelming scientific evidence that the Gulf of Mexico is rapidly recovering from the disastrous 2010 BP oil spill. There is, however, considerable historical precedent that might support cautious optimism in this case; the Gulf of Mexico has recovered from significant oil spills in the past, most notably the 1979 Ixtoc blowout in the Bay of Campeche.
In a pro-industry newspaper sold to pro-industry readers, a story that looks like a whitewash similar to earlier uncovered whitewashes by industry and our industry dominated government, such a story requires a link to the story, disclosure of the financing of the study, identification of the peer reviewers, and the credentials of all concerned. A more complete reporting of the dissenting views would also help the credibility of the journalism.
The report stirred disbelief among several microbiologists studying the aftermath of the 87-day oil and gas leak. “I think they are jumping to a conclusion,” ... More »
The Gulf is an area of constant natural seeps of oil and gas. If these bacteria didn't exist, the beaches would be solid asphalt. No surprises there.
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