Gulf Oil Spill Research "Cornucopedia?"

What do you get when dozens of researchers from a variety of oceanic disciplines drop hundreds of pages of fresh research content on the Internet representing thousands of hours of field work...all in the space of a week?

Why that would be a veritable 
"Cornucopedia" of study material, and folks it is time to get busy with the answers to many of the questions we have been wondering about concerning the Gulf Oil Spill of 2010.

Of course the big answer, "did the oil spill have an impact?" is here in stark black and white.

Yes it did.

If you ask a BP rep/lawyer/evil incarnate baby eater the same question the answer will be vastly different and that, people, is why we have scientists to break it down for you.

But this work is absolutely no good to anyone unless it is read, dissemintaed, and talked about and that's where you come in. Now if you're some of the folks we know in the shark biz, forewarning this link contains big words and some numbers that go as high as 12, as in 12 pack beer. So you might want to wait until others have posted on Facebook pages with big glossy pictures of oiled seabirds so you can get angry, otherwise you'll just get lost with this stuff.

OK?

If you're the other folks we know in the shark biz, the majority, read on, and pay close attention to the next few months with fresh papers coming out concerning Whale sharks in the Gulf.

We hear tell this is going to be some interesting stuff. Then again we have been watching closely since this event broke in 2010 helping to drive the media where we could in response to these magnificent animals who, at the time, were migrating right through bands of oil.

For these animals it would appear they suffered greatly.

New 640,728 gallon oil spill in the Gulf?

During the Gulf Oil Spill last year one media source was on target and on the numbers, and that was the blog site Sky Truth.

While NOAA was still towing the BP corporate line of 5000 barrels a day, it was Sky Truth and their dedicated team who first estimated the flow rate was many time higher than that.

This week Sky Truth took a look at a mysterious oil spill near Grand Isle L.A, one that regional oil experts from Anglo-Suisse said was a minor event with just 4 gallons spilled.

After analysing NASA/MODIS satellite imagry Sky Truth estimates this spill to be an astonishing 640,728 gallons.

If we were betting folks in a contest between the government, who should be minding oil in the Gulf, and Sky Truth we would go with Sky Truth, the question now is, who's going to clean all this oil up?

Corn vs Oil - Interesting Look

Via: Online Schools

Gulf of Mexico - Fetal Dolphin Syndrome?

Just months after America's worst oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico a much higher than normal seasonal appearance of newborn and still born dolphins are washing ashore in at least four states.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared the recent dolphin deaths "an unusual mortality event," with today's numbers topping 80 animals discovered so far.

Is this a byproduct of heightened regional monitoring after a major ecological disaster, or a harbinger of things to come for the Gulf?

As top order predators regional dolphin populations are the quintessential "canary in the coal mine," the first to signal accumulated toxins in the food chain. Dolphins may have gorged on weakened fish and shrimp last summer, or may have become immune compromised passing through sub sea plumes of oil and Corexit.

Or this may just "an unusual mortality event," with no causal effect at all.

Unfortunately there is very little hard data on seasonal fetal dolphin deaths in the region. Most dolphin census data or studies look at population groups and mass strandings see example.

Hopefully the cause of fetal and calf dolphin deaths in the region can be uncovered by researchers, but as we read over at the Deep Sea News Blog from Dr.Bik last week:

Then there’s the money. Or rather, there isn’t the money. Only $50 million of BP’s promised $500 million in research money has been doled out; a scientific board has been set up to distribute the remaining $450 million, but it seems like they’re still writing ethical guidelines and drafting up an application process. Which means, probably another year before any scientists will be able to use money from this pot.

Raw Media Footage - BP Gulf Disaster Mote Shark Research

PROJECT INFO: Highlight footage approved by Mote Marine Laboratory for news/media use. Research Expedition headed by Dr. Bob Hueter, Director - Mote Center for Shark Research to study effects of BP Gulf Oil Disaster.

FORMAT: Multi-Camera, HD, 16:9. Field produced & shot by the Paxton Brothers in dual role as Science Party Crew and Presenters.

STATUS: Project available for co-production & development, programming content & distribution, news/media stock footage and certain educational applications.

The team at Think Out Loud Productions is focused on innovative outdoor adventure & wildlife footage, still and textual content to support non-fiction or documentary television programming and / or other multi-media educational opportunities.

Contact: Info@ThinkOutLoudProductions.com for details.

For More Information Visit: ThinkOutLoudProductions

Bluefin in the Gulf - Ground Zero Oil Spill

Northeast and northwest spawning grounds for Bluefin tuna in the Gulf were at ground zero for Americas worst oil spill on record.

And the fallout is just beginning.

Underwater Times

PARIS, France -- The Gulf of Mexico oil spill couldn't have occurred at a worse time for bluefin tuna: they had come to the area – a major spawning ground – to produce offspring. Satellites are helping assess the damage from the disaster on the fish's spawning habitat.

The majestic Atlantic bluefin tuna, among the largest fish able to grow the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, come to the Gulf yearly from January to June. Their peak spawning time in the Gulf is April and May – just when some 10 million litres of oil a day was pouring into the water following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig on 20 April.

The commercially valuable fish spawn in surface waters, with females releasing eggs and males following behind to fertilize them. The presence of surface oil could harm eggs, larvae and even adults. With the western Atlantic tuna population's spawning stock declining by 82% over the last 30 years, it is imperative they spawn without disturbance.

Complete Story.

Sylvia Earle - Death Row Whale Sharks?

OCEAN SPRING, Miss. – Dr. Eric Hoffmayer, a University of Southern Mississippi research scientist at the university’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, has joined forces with world-renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle and Mission Blue to study the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Gulf of Mexico whale sharks.


Hoffmayer and Earle recently spent three days in the Gulf of Mexico where they discovered an extraordinary gathering of more than 100 feeding whale sharks 90 miles south of Grand Isle, La., and approximately 60 miles west of the oil spill.


“This may be one of the largest gatherings of whale sharks in the northern Gulf of Mexico observed by science,” explained Earle.

Hoffmayer and Earle photo identified scores of whale sharks and tagged four of them. One of the tags was equipped with satellite tracking sensors. Those sensors allow anyone to follow the shark over the Internet via www.GTOPP.org and Google Ocean.



“Whale Sharks are presently considered a ‘vulnerable species,’ which is a mere single notch down from being considered an endangered species,” said Hoffmayer.


Earle, who is currently an explorer-in-residence at National Geographic, is a highly respected and influential oceanographer. “I can only hope to do in my career a fraction of what she has done. Hopefully her involvement will help bring resources to the study of these threatened animals,” said Hoffmayer.


Whale sharks are filter feeders, meaning they siphon marine organisms at the surface of the water as food. With dispersed oil floating on the water surface, whale sharks will ingest the chemical substance along with their food.


“Some have said that these are death row whale sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, and that could be true,” said Earle. “Because of their feeding habits, skimming right at the surface where the oil accumulates, they’re in harm’s way.”


Indeed, since the tagging expedition, Hoffmayer has heard reports of whale sharks swimming in oil near the Deepwater Horizon spill site. “I don’t think there is any question we’re going to lose whale sharks to this oil spill. That’s why we need to tag these sharks so that we can determine how they are impacted by the oil,” said Hoffmayer. “Whale sharks are gentle giants that grow between 40 to 50 feet long and aren’t aware of the oil spill around them,” explained Hoffmayer. “They are very susceptible to the oil because they spend so much time at the surface of the water.”


The entire Whale Shark tagging expedition was captured by film director Robert Nixon and an Insurgent Media film crew which is filming Mission Blue, a feature documentary following Earle on her quest to protect the world’s oceans.



“Interacting with these death row whale sharks was a transformative experience. We may not be able to save these gentle giants from the oil. We do hope our underwater footage of Dr. Hoffmayer tagging whale sharks will galvanize the public to act to save the oceans, our life support system,” declared Earle.


For more information on the research underway by Hoffmayer visit here.


For more information on Insurgent Media and Mission Blue, contact director Robert Nixon at

RHNixon@me.com


About The University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.

Gulf Coast Whale Sharks - Worst Fears Realized

When the Gulf oil platform exploded and sank we began ongoing whale shark coverage in the region on the 25th of April.

That coverage culminated in a first person interview with Dr.Hoffmayer from the Gulf Coast Research Lab on May 24th.

Our blog coverage lead the major media in the ongoing and salient Gulf whale shark story.

Read Whale Sharks - Prime Time.

Sadly, some of the worst fears of this team have been realized this week as Whale sharks have been seen in the most toxic areas of the Gulf oil region struggling to survive.

"Our worst fears are realized. They are not avoiding the spill area," said Eric Hoffmayer, the University of Southern Mississippi scientist who found the large aggregation last week. "Those animals are going to succumb. Taking mouthfuls of oil is not good. It is not the toxicity that will kill them. It's that oil is going to be sticking to their gills and everything else."

As with 90% of shark research stories this one is frustrating for one basic fact. Despite many requests for tag funding that might have allowed Dr.Hoffmayer and his team to fully understand the movements of these animals he was unable to secure the number of tags needed to get the work done. Now his work will be one of "intuitive guesswork" for the next few seasons as he and his team try and understand the effects of oil on these magnificent migratory animals.



Complete Story.

NOAA's "Non de Plume"

British Petroleum's CEO Tony Hayward, when not stuffing size 12 Gucci loafers into his mouth at every press opportunity, says there are no sub surface oil plumes.

His latest statement contradicts teams from the University of South Florida, the University of Georgia, Southern Mississippi University who say there are.

In the middle of this "debate" is NOAA, a government agency tasked with all things ocean.

Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, called media reports of large underwater oil plumes "premature," adding that research conducted by an academic ocean institute was inconclusive.

Are you kidding me?

Sub surface oil plumes are part of BP's ongoing strategy, we covered this many weeks ago. Anyone except NOAA it seems, can understand why BP would prefer oil to remain suspended at depth. It is also the reason why BP is ignoring EPA directives to stop using COREXIT, their dispersant of choice in the region.

With a disaster of this magnitude you have to wonder why NOAA is ignoring respected Gulf researchers, working the media cycle in tandem with BP, and basically making a laughing stock of the agency?

BP Oilmegeddon Images - Aquaman Wins!

The search for The Ultimate BP Oilmegeddon Image is over and we have declared a winner.

The Aquaman BP comic book cover now making the rounds is the hands down classic. With small details like the June date in the right hand corner and the 12 cent cover hearkening back to the 1960's and a time when oil and household chemicals were our friends.

To whoever the mystery creator is behind this first rate BP image slam we say a hearty thank you.

Cannot wait until there's a T-shirt available we'll will buy a few dozen for friends and family.

The irony here being that the logo will have to be created out of an oil based product, damn you irony!

US Coast Guard Admiral Asks James Cameron For Oil Help

7th Coast Guard District

U.S. Coast Guard


News Release

Date: May 28, 2010

Contact: Anna M. Tulane

(305) 797-4444

US Coast Guard Admiral Asks James Cameron For Alien Help With BP Spill

KEY WEST, Fla. - Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen asked Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron (Titanic, The Abyss, Avatar) for help with the ongoing British Petroleum spill in the Gulf of Mexico today.

"We're hoping he can ask his alien buddies from that movie The Abyss down there to help us shut down this well," said Admiral Allen in a press conference with Mr.Cameron today.

In 1989 director Cameron featured deep sea aliens who could stop nuclear bombs from exploding and had complete alien powers over water, being able to move ships and equipment with ease at depth.

Capt. Matt DeAngelo, commanding officer of Sector Key West, Florida has been tasked with coordinating with The Abyss Aliens once they arrive, establishing a Unified Abyss Alien Command comprised of members from the Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of the Interior.

"We need to use every asset at our disposal, and these aliens seem like the best option we have at the moment after a month of failed efforts and millions of gallons of oil and dispersant floating around out there" DeAngelo said. "We will continue to operate the Unified Abyss Alien Command as long as the aliens want to work with us, from what I have seen they are pretty handy with equipment."

Efforts to contact The Abyss Aliens will start at 11.30 Eastern with the blowing of Conch Shells from vessels stationed in the 30,000 square mile disaster zone.

The public is asked to report the sighting of any Abyss Aliens to the U.S. Coast Guard at 1 (800) 444-8802.

The public is reminded that The Abyss Aliens are shy and delicate comprised of "jelly like" material, which while not dangerous to most people can cause an allergic reaction and should only be touched by trained personnel.

###



The following Underwater Onion brought to you by Shark Diver. Attempting levity in the face of America's Oceanic Chernobyl.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Bluefin Tuna Larvae Scientists Return from Gulf Loop Current Research Mission

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

MEDIA ADVISORY

5/26/2010

Bluefin Tuna Larvae Scientists Return from Gulf Loop Current Research Mission

WHAT: Researchers Jim Franks and Dr. Bruce Comyns with the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Research Laboratory return from a 12-day research expedition to the Gulf of Mexico loop current to collect samples of larvae of the bluefin tuna, one of the ocean’s most threatened fish.

WHEN: Thursday, May 27, 10 a.m.

WHERE: Dockside at berth of RV Tommy Munro, Point Cadet Marina; Biloxi, Miss.

SPECIFICS: Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service, researchers traveled to the loop current to collect samples of larvae, which is the most vulnerable life-stage of bluefin tuna. Bluefin tuna spawn in only two places in the western hemisphere — the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Bluefin tuna larvae are in a precarious situation due to the position and magnitude of the oil-affected waters following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Southern Miss President Martha Saunders has assembled an Oil Spill Response Team that is coordinating the university’s response to the incident in the Gulf. Scientists, faculty, staff and students from GCRL, Stennis Space Center, plus the Gulf Park and Hattiesburg campuses are working with federal, state, and private agencies to monitor the spill and, to the extent possible, manage and mitigate its impacts on the Gulf Coast.

For more information on the Oil Spill Response Team visit http://www.usm.edu/oilspill.

RESEARCH CONTACT: Chris Snyder: 228.365.3386.

www.usm.edu/gcrl

British Petroleum - Fun Activities For Oil Spill

In case you're sick of 24/7 Oilmegedden coverage coming out of the Gulf, here's some fun BP oil related activities for you to do this week.

For instance, we have installed this live video feed from the well head at 5000 feet. Courtesy of BP and branded with their logo, you can watch the unfolding drama live, and even see unfortunate deep water sharks as they blunder into the plume.

Speaking of Logo's

For a more creative outlet this week, Greenpeace is asking for submissions to help redesign BP's logo, guaranteed fun.

You can submit your design here, and these are a few of the submission to date. We are featuring one of the newer logo's uploaded today.

That's it for now. Not much more to report from the Gulf, another 70,000 barrels streaming into the ocean, another day in the life of America's Chernobyl.

Audio Research Report from the Gulf Loop Current - 5.19.2010

One of the few research vessels operating in the Gulf region right now is the RV Tommy Munro from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Her current position is 250 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico conducting sampling transects of the Loop Current in an attempt to capture specimens of the larval forms of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. This is one of the critical Gulf species most impacted by oil and dispersant chemicals.

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory GCRL scientists Jim Franks, Dr. Bruce Comyns, and Dick Waller are conducting the research.

“We’re concerned about the potential effects of the oil spill on this highly vulnerable species.”

A May 14 press release provides details.

After a two-day run to reach the Loop Current, an initial audio report was filed today by fisheries biologist Jim Franks. If satellite phone connections permit, audio reports will be filed daily.

Click here to listen.

Oilmegeddon - New Spill Estimates vs Admiral in Charge

NPR has announced the latest oil spill numbers at a stunning 70,000 barrels a day. That's almost one Exxon Valdez tanker spill every four days. Using the latest satellite imagery and input from scientists, NPR says this is a full blown disaster.

Then we have this guy, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen who says this spill is not a "monolithic spill," and after 23 days it has "the potential" to be catastrophic.

The burning question in the Gulf right now, what is the truth behind this oil spill?"

Oil Spill in the Gulf - 2010 Hurricane Oilmageddon?

Current estimates of actual oil in the Gulf range from 4-23-57 million gallons depending on who you listen to.

See NPR Gulf oil spill widget.

None of the major media outlets have broken the ongoing story of the 2010 Hurricane Season which officially kicks off June 1.

This image is Hurricane Katrina with the latest oil spill map from NOAA put together by RTSea Productions.

If Katrina landed this year its Category 3 sustained winds of 127 miles an hour it would plow right though the oil disaster area and BP's runaway wellhead off the Gulf coast.

Colorado State University predicts this to be an "above average season." Halting relief well drilling efforts and clean up will be these storms first impacts. Taking surface oil airborne and carrying it far in shore with 100-140 mile an hour winds will be these storms second and most devastating effect.

Hurricane Oilmageddon

The real eco disaster waiting to play out are raining oil micro dropletts coming ashore as far away as Texas, the southern states, and large parts of Mexico, as Gulf hurricanes suck up millions of gallons of surface moisture and spilled oil. These micro dropletts of oil will rain down on rivers, lakes, farm land, and cities covering the landscape.

"Oilmageddon," on a biblical scale.

Latest 2010 Hurricane Forecast Predictions

• Colorado State University issued its annual report on the year's hurricane forecast predictions.http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/07/forecasters-predict-above-average-atlantic-hurricane-season/University forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach each stated that El Nino conditions will likely dissipate by summer. In addition they believe that the warm tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures will not drop and will remain at the current temperatures. These temperatures have reportedly been much warmer than usual.http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/07/forecasters-predict-above-average-atlantic-hurricane-season/Because of this phenomenon, Gray and Klotzbach indicate that the 2010 hurricane season will be above-average. Specifically, they said that the warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures will "[lead] to favorable conditions for hurricanes to develop and intensify."http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/07/forecasters-predict-above-average-atlantic-hurricane-season/

Oil Spill in the Gulf - Underwater Video

ABC News has coverage of the video that BP wanted hidden from the media claiming content rights. After White House intervention they released the following clip. The white plume is a frozen gas slush, followed quickly by oil. It was one these gas eruptions that caused the original drilling platform to explode in a fireball 21 days ago.

More in depth "Oilmageddon" coverage from Deep Sea News:

Oil, Disasters and Lawyers - Toxic Mix

Who bears the ultimate responsibility for America's Chernobyl off the Gulf coast?

If you asked an oil executive on Capitol Hill yesterday you got a Circular Firing Squad answer tailored by $800/hr corporate lawyers.

The blame game has begun, while an estimated 5-25,600 barrels a day explodes into the pristine waters of the Gulf.

For lawyers on both side of this on going eco disaster big oil equals big money.

BP's legal teams in the Gulf are already into questionable legal waiver practices making sub contractors working on oil clean up projects limit the amount of money they can accept to a one time payout of $5000.

"Pay all legitimate claims," is the current catch phrase for oil executives that leave them in a titanic grey area almost as big as the oil slick now covering the Gulf.

One thing is for sure, when the final bill does come for this mess, BP, Transocean and Hallibuton will be paying out on a three tiered system. House legal team first, opposing legal team second, and pennies on the dollar to whoever and whatever is left of the once magnificent Gulf.

Jeff Corwin Reports - Sharks in Oil Disaster

Some of the best coverage of the ongoing oil disaster in the Gulf can be found at Huff Post. I have been less than thrilled with the major media who, for the most part, have been treating this massive ecological disaster as a "one dimensional talking point memo" featuring vacuous reporters spitting out inane eco bytes.

Enter Jeff Corwin who went hands on for CBS in the Gulf recently to pose questions and cover ongoing research in the region with sharks. Jeff is one of the few reporters who brings home this unfolding disaster in terms that are understandable and immediate (see video).

On a personal note I came close to throwing a brick through the television this am watching a morning show anchor describe the "good news" that thousands of gallons of chemical dispersant was being dropped on the oil so it would sink to the bottom of the ocean rendering the oil "safe."

News Anchor Test

To put this into perspective. Take your morning coffee. Add a teaspoon of motor oil. Now add a half teaspoon of chemical dispersant. Let sit while these toxic chemicals bind with the motor oil and drop to the bottom of your coffee.

Now drink. No? Thought so.


Watch CBS News Videos Online

Gulf Oil Spill - Bluefin Tuna Spawning

Gulf oil spill by the numbers:

210,000 - number of gallons flowing each day into the Gulf from a well head.

12 - number of days this wellhead has been gushing oil.

2,520,000 - number of gallons of oil spilled so far.

5000 - depth of wellhead (in feet).

70,000 - number of gallons of toxic oil dispersant being used to break up oil slicks each week.

80-90% - declines in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna stocks over the past decade to overfishing.

4-6 - months (April-June) that Atlantic Bluefin Tuna spawn in the Gulf region where the oil slick is currently present.

0-6 the depth (in feet) where spawning eggs and young survive.

Some of the best minds in conservation and fisheries are raising the alarm about Bluefin Tuna in the Gulf right now. Just one species being impacted by what will soon be the world's largest oil spill.

While the major media will focus on oil soaked birds it is important to know that the Gulf is essentially a giant nursery for a wide range of spawning aquatic animals that depend on the top trophic layer of the ocean for life.

The same layer now being contaminated by "oil and dispersant" and toxic soup growing in size every single day.