New numbers showing the amount of oil gushing from a well in the Gulf of Mexico may be double as much as previously thought means the crude is likely to travel farther away, threatening more birds, fish and other wildlife that call the fragile waters their home, scientists said Friday.
The Gulf gusher is going to make the Exxon-Valdez look like a counter top spill. Those around at the time remember the fiery debate as to the extent of the ecological impact on the fragile Arctic habitat.
Almost 20 years after the spill (Exxon Valdez), a team of scientists at the University of North Carolina found that the effects are lasting far longer than expected.[20] The team estimates some shoreline Arctic habitats may take up to 30 years to recover.
The fact is the no one knows how much habitat will be destroyed because it is extremely difficult to gauge rate of the flow, thus, the extent of the underwater and surface spill. One thing is assured, the Exxon Valdez spill will dwarfed in comparison to the Gulf. While no one habitat is more important in terms of life and ecological diversity which contributes to the beauty and richness of the planet, the Gulf and surrounding habitats are far more economically important to the United States.
As a part of the human race, there are times in which I hang my head in shame for the choices that are made in the name of profit.
Source: news.yahoo.com
Source: en.wikipedia.org
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