FL State Professor: 1/2 OF BP OIL STILL IN GULF-- -"It did not sink all to the bottom—it can't"

[kpete]

A Florida State University professor said that more than half of the oil that spilled into the sea remains in the Gulf of Mexico and is a "highly durable material" that is now buried along the coast and on the sea floor. But an Energy Department scientist said that couldn't be true—and that conclusions should be put on hold until more data are gathered.

"It did not sink all to the bottom—it can't," Terry Hazen, a senior Energy Department scientist told reporters during a break in a hearing before the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. He was elaborating on remarks made earlier to the panel. He said that initial data were being collected and it would be at least a month before the findings come out.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704654004575517900163443826.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5&om_rid=CZthPx&om_mid=_BMoPSLB8U3hz9g

[nc4bo]

1. How deep is the GOM and what are the operating limits of robots at that depth?

Google searches seem to suggest it's anywhere from 2-2.75 miles. How difficult would it be to send several mechanical robots or subs to measure it? How difficult would it be to distinguish the difference between oil and any other substance?

Guess it's easier to find evidence of water on Mars and the composition of a planet light years away from planet Earth, right? :sarcasm:

Disclaimer: I'm definitely referring to BP and the government.

Shouldn't we want to know?

[n2doc]

4. It is being done:

see link

http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=7545&tid=282&ct=162&cid=79926

Many other groups also looking at this.

[HockeyMom]

2. Citizens groups are paying to have testing done

with their own money. The results are not what the media, or tourist industry, wants to hear; even as far south as Naples.

[nc4bo]

3. Many are thankful that they are doing this.

Myself included.