Dangerous Oil Spill Harms Gulf
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May 5, 2010
Filed under News, Top Stories
On April 20, a major oil spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. An explosion happened on a BP oil rig sending 5,000 barrels of oil a day into the ocean. Ever since the day of the spill the government, the military and BP, an oil and natural gas company, have been trying to get the oil cleaned up before it does too much damage to the surrounding areas.
However, cleaning up this oil spill is not an easy task. There is a major leak 5,000 feet below the surface of the ocean. That makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for cleanup crews to stop the leak. This BP oil rig does not have the safety precautions to shut down the machines sucking up the oil deep down, from the surface like other companies do.
The cleanup job is very expensive. Recently, President Obama announced that BP would be fully responsible for the cost. BP has already paid millions of dollars and will most likely pay millions more until the problem is fixed.
“The oil spill is probably going to greatly affect the surrounding countries,” Clayton Broyles, English teacher, said.
The oil in the ocean is expected to harm countries, like Broyles said, economies, under water life, beaches and much more. On May 2, Fox News announced that the oil is only about nine miles away from the coast of Venice, Louisiana, and is supposed to reach the shore within the day. The oil is also reaching Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and the fragile coral reefs in the area.
The seafood market has already been greatly affected by the oil. Due to the large amount of contaminated water and fish, the government has shut down many miles of fishing grounds. People may have to cut back on the fish they are eating for a little while.
Some cleanup methods being used are putting 74-ton metal and concrete boxes into the ocean to capture the oil. The boxes will be loaded onto a barge after they are full of oil. There is also a burning method being used. Oil is being corralled by fireproof booms and are being carried to a different location. However, the Coast Guard has been saying that most of the oil will not be cleaned up.
“The oil spill will probably lead to stricter regulations and to greater awareness,” Broyles said.
Projected Travel of Oil Picture
( Image from NASA)
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Kali Hinman
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