Oil Spill Will Increase Dead Zone
Posted on 7 July 2010 by LynThomas in Uncategorized
The Gulf of Mexico is under siege from two different sources. The BP oil spill and the notorious ‘dead zone’, created from nitrogen, used to fertilize corn, which leaches into the Mississippi River and out into the Gulf. Up to one third of the corn production is used in the production of Ethanol.
Congress passed a renewable fuels standard in 2007, that requires ethanol production to triple in the next 12 years. The Department of Agriculture has just rolled out a plan to meet that goal, including building ethanol refineries in every state. The Environmental Protection Agency is to make a decision whether or not to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline blends from 10 percent to 15 percent.
“The ethanol subsidies are driving farmers toward more corn,” said Gene Turner, a zoologist at Louisiana State University. “More nitrate comes off corn fields than it does off of any other crop by far.”
Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone
The fertilizer feeds giant algae blooms, which dies and settles to the ocean floor and decays, consuming and suffocating marine life. Known as hypoxia, the oxygen depletion kills anything that cannot escape. Fish reproductive organs are often decreased in size leading to a lack of spawning.
The Gulf dead zone has doubled since the 1980’s and expected to grow up to 8,500 sq miles in 2010. It will affect the Gulf Coast from Alabama to Texas.
Scientists fear the oil spill will worsen the Gulf dead zone, for when oil decomposes, it also consumes oxygen.
Dead Zone Baltic Sea
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7 July 2010
[...] The BP oil spill and the notorious ‘dead zone’, created from nitrogen, used to fertilize corn, which leaches into the Mississippi River and out into the Gulf, is putting the Gulf area under two different threats. Up to one third of the corn production is used in the production of Ethanol Read what the increased production of ethanol will do to the Gulf… [...]
Obama told America that if we can win WWII and put a man on the moon, we can plug this leak and solve our dependency on fossil fuels.
But there’s a missing piece: the soldiers in WWII had the Pentagon and Neil Armstrong had NASA. What’s the man on the street supposed to do to solve the fossil fuel problem? Is it time for an organized, funded effort?
The following link is to a satirical video, but it underscores this issue in real terms.
Link: You’re Soaking In It
There was a non toxic Alternative to clean up the spill that has been successfully tested by BP after 10 months of spill damages. The Coast Guard sent a letter from headquarters stating to the FOSC to take action with OSE II, and the EPA, Lisa Jackson stopped the Coast Guard from allowing BP from implementing OSE II. In fact the EPA stopped the application of OSE II 11 times denying State Senators direct request for use of OSE II from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. La Department of environmental requested the use of OSE II as well, EPA’s Sam Coleman denied their request without reason. Governor Jindal tried to get OSE II demonstrated on the Chandelier Islands on May 6, 2010, and the EPA stopped the Governor as well. The EPA in fact stopped the use of OSE II 11 times, without a reason given. Had the EPA allowed Governor Jindal to allow the demonstration of OSE II on May 6, 2010, it is possible a significant portion of the environmental damages, including the shorelines and the seafood industry would have been spared. The toxicty test comparison between OSE II and corexit really cannot be compared since with corexit, the label states it can cause red blood cells to burst, kidney, and liver problems if a chemical suit and respirator are not worn. OSE II in contrast can be used to wash your hands and is non toxic. The BP Deep Horizon spill has proven that corexit only sinks oil and causes the same oil to be addressed a second time when it comes ashore as under water plumes, or tar balls, while OSE II has a substantiated end point of converting oil to CO2 and water. See Coast Guard letter below
U. S. Department
of Homeland Security
United States
Coast Guard
Commanding Officer 1 Chelsea Street
U. S. Coast Guard New London, CT 06320
Research and Development Center Staff Symbol: Contracting Office
Phone: (860) 271-2807
July 10, 2010
OSEI Corporation
P.O. Box 515429
Dallas, TX 75251
Attn: Steven Pedigo, President/Owner
DEEPWATER HORIZON RESPONSE BAA HSCG32-10-R-R00019, TRACKING #2003954
We are pleased to inform you that the initial screening of your White Paper submitted under Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) HSCG32-10-R-R00019 has been completed. It has been determined that your White Paper submission has a potential for benefit to the spill response effort.
Your White Paper has been forwarded to the Deepwater Horizon Response Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) for further action under its authority. Subject to the constraints and needs of the ongoing oil spill response, you may be contacted by the FOSC or the responsible party.
We appreciate your interest in supporting the Deepwater Horizon Response effort.
Contracting Officer /s/
USCG R&D Center