BP used toxic dispersant to reduce liabilities from the gulf spill. BP’s attempt to drill at depths that are just barely possible with our current level of technology is evidence that they are gambling at the border of controllable engineering. BP’s laughable oil spill plan and inaccurate wild life assessments that included species not even found in the gulf, are further evidence of the lack of environmental consideration by BP.
BP used the dispersant Corexit 9500 to drop the oil to a level where it was not visible on the surface. Untreated oil quickly rises to the surface, where it can wash to shore or be easily skimmed by surface boats, but oil treated with Corexit becomes a submerged plume that is unlikely to float to the surface. This plume is then destined to migrate in the underwater currents of the gulf creating widespread dead zones wherever it goes. There is also a general lack of knowledge about what effect the 3 million gallons of dispersant Corexit 9500 used is having on the environment. EPA is essentially looking the other way and many scientists are worried that the combination of Corexit 9500 and the oil is actually more toxic than the oil alone.
Title: BP’s Deep Secrets
Publication: Mother Jones
Date of Publication: September/October 2010, P. 29-43
Author: Julia Whitty
Faculty Evaluator: Dr. Ervand Peterson (Sonoma State University)
Student Name: Keith Garrett (Sonoma State University)
Date: 10/11/2010