About those New EPA Dispersant Tests

by jamess

Perhaps you heard about the recent EPA Press Release, regarding latest Toxicity Testing results for Dispersants.   Depending on which sound bite you heard, it almost sounded like Corexit got a clean bill of health.

Confused?  I was too.   And since I had previously written a well-received diary,

Corexit Toxicity Tests not so hot, When Mixed with Oil
by jamess  -- May 30, 2010

which dove into the Toxicity Data, that the EPA originally cited as credible only 2 months ago, I figured I should try to figure out what was up with the 'New and Improved' Dispersant Testing.

What follows is my assessment of what's happening now, including some relevant links.

I'll try to keep it brief. (I hate long diaries, lol)

continued at Daily Kos....

UPDATED: Some of the Oil is being Captured, and SOME, of it is NOT

by jamess

You've got to love breathless headlines, full of the 'best spin' possible. BP manages to catch some leaking crude oil Canwest News Service - June 4, 2010 It's estimated BP is siphoning oil at a rate of about 1,000 barrels a day so far. The damaged well has been spewing between 12,000 and 25,000 barrels a day since April. Allen said the containment cap had not made a perfect seal over the riser pipe, so oil may still be able to escape even after the vents are closed. 1,000 / 12,000  =  8.3% 1,000 / 25,000  =  4.2% But what does SOME really mean if we choose to use the Worst Case scenario numbers, that BP gave Congress, behind closed doors?  It seems we are approaching that 'Worst Case' ... 1,000 / 60,000  =  1.7% Yes, I guess, that might qualify as "some" of the Oil being captured. Of course that should be immediately follow by the question: Well that means "SOME" of it is still gushing, Right? How Much ... are in each of those 'some's?

continued at Daily Kos....

The Florida Coral Reefs may be Next ...

by jamess

If BP, along with the 'Best and the Brightest' can't manage to turn off the spigot ... The Florida Coral Reefs may be Next Group Records Florida Coastal Environment Before Oil Arrives Creighton Team Helps Oil Spill Study MSNBC June 3, 2010 A research team from Creighton University is gathering data along Florida's Gulf Coast and trying to stay ahead of the oil spill. The team's leader, John Schalles, said recovery crews aren't the only ones scrambling against the resulting environmental disaster. Creighton Professor John Schalles on the Oil Spill http://www.youtube.com/...

continued at Daily Kos....

Other Dispersants, Twice as Effective, Half as Toxic, and Not yet Used

by jamess

Dispersants add to Gulf spill’s toxic threats Susan Buchanan -- June 1, 2010 The EPA on May 10 authorized BP to use two dispersants-COREXIT 9500 and COREXIT EC9527A, distributed by the Tennessee and Texas units of Nalco Co. in Illinois. BP had already applied those products at the spill site for nearly two weeks. As concerns about COREXIT grew, however, the EPA asked BP on May 19 to find a less-toxic dispersant within 24 hours, and to start using its replacement in 72 hours. BP answered that it wanted to stick with COREXIT. Frustrated EPA and Coast Guard officials said the company's response was inadequate, and told BP to start reducing its use of surface dispersants. But in a decision questioned by some scientists, officials said BP's subsea or underwater dispersant use, authorized in mid-May, could continue. Last week, the EPA and the Coast Guard said that they would start calling the shots about BP's dispersant use and that COREXIT applications could be scaled back by as much as 50% to 80%. COREXIT should be scaled back to 0% -- Especially since BETTER options are available NOW.

continued at Daily Kos....