- checking login information
The Environment & Wildlife Cause
1,458,441 people care about Environment & Wildlife
Loading...Coral Reefs Found Dead Near BP Spill Site
Scientists surveying the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico said coral reefs near the BP spill site were almost certainly dying from exposure to toxic substances.
The dead and dying coral reefs were discovered Tuesday by “scientists aboard a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessel using a submersible robot equipped with cameras and sampling tools,” reported The New York Times.
Both BP’s scientists and government officials have insisted for months that the vast majority of the 206 million gallons of oil released by the disaster evaporated, dissolved, or was dispersed, either naturally or “as the result of operations,” into small droplets (Reuters).
But environmental organizations and Gulf Coast residents have always had their doubts.
For many, the discovery of dead coral is the first piece of evidence to directly link the BP oil spill to long-term, irreversible damage in the Gulf.
So far, the goverment is playing it cool with regard to this new damaging evidence.
“Given the toxic nature of oil and the unprecedented amount of oil spilled, it would be surprising if we did not find damage,” said Jane Lubchenco, the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “This is precisely why we continue to actively monitor and evaluate the impact of the spill in the gulf.”
Dr. Charles Fisher, the lead scientist on the Gulf expedition, called the discovery “a smoking gun” and said that it was highly unlikely the coral was damaged by natural oil seepage from the ocean floor.
“We have never seen anything like this at any of the deep coral sites that we’ve been to,” Dr. Fisher told the NYT. “And we’ve been to quite a lot of them.”
Like this story? Connect with Beth on Twitter or StumbleUpon!
Read more: bp, coral, dispersants, environment & wildlife, gulf coast, NOAA, oil spill, sustaintmc
Image Credit: Flickr - prillfish
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
![Romney Ad: It's My First Day! [VIDEO]](http://dingo.care2.com/pictures/causes/2945/2944483.medium.jpg)
Recent Comments from Causes
Good for her!
As always, Big Money cons will decide who wins.
baiting is not hunting! look up the definition of the word. this kind of "hunting" should be outlawed…
meet our writers
91 comments
+ add your ownBP, Monsanto, JP Morgan and Ken Salazar will be the death of us and our planet.
BP should be accountable for all damages now and in the future leaving them no slack of freedom of what they did to nature and humans alike. Even if BP goes under a different name to survive, still hold them accountable.
Beautiful.
No matter how hard, let's save the coral reefs!
http://www.jbradsblog.com/saving-the-coral-reefs/
so sad and just uncalled for.
If scientists say the spill was "almost certainly" the cause of the reef dying I'm prepared to accept their word. And as the oil company might say - 'Oh well, so it's a few pelicans and a coral reef - so what'?? We actually have very little idea of how far-reaching the effects are of such spills, into biodiversity, into the food chain and of course into humans having cancer.
corporate greed harms us all.
This will take decades to clean up, and centuries to fix. BP should no longer be able to drill in American waters.
Seafood is OFF my menu for the next ten years and maybe even longer. The oil is bad enough but no one knows what the dispersents will do to yoour body. No one seems to know what the chemical compound of the dispersents are much less how they will affect fish and shell fish and all who consume those products.
DO NOT LET BP OFF THE HOOK !!!
Make them pay for the jobs and livelyhoods lost AND for the future clean up of the mess they have made.
Although, BP is on radar, let it be known, before BP corals have been known to be in distress. It is critical to regain coral reefs to good health and yesterday!
"Both BP's scientists and government officials have insisted for months that the vast majority of the 206 million gallons of oil released by the disaster evaporated, dissolved, or was dispersed, either naturally or "as the result of operations," into small droplets" This is some statement! The obscenity and sleaze of the comments deserves our immediate attention. It is clear that the government is in bed with the oil companies, but don't worry. BP IS IN PROFITS AGAIN! So, maybe environmentalists need to get to these profits for clean up purposes, still!
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment
20