Chilling Sat Photos Of Lousiana Wetlands, Hurricane Effects - NYT

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And these photos were nearly a week after the storm passed.

It is said that wetlands soak up water like a sponge. These NASA satellite images show that process at work in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina struck on Aug. 28.

The top image shows the state's southeastern region on Aug. 9. The bottom image was made on Sept. 4, after storm clouds cleared. The images, their colors artificially adjusted, show vegetated areas in bright green; flooded areas are darker.

It remains to be seen how Louisiana's wetlands will survive the storm. Scientists are only beginning to discern damage inflicted on them from high winds and waves, and from the presence of so much floodwater for so many days.

Much of the water is contaminated by spills from oil and gas installations and from vehicles trapped in the storm. Wetlands can cleanse water of pollutants up to a point, but even they can be overwhelmed.

EDIT

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/13/science/earth/13find.html