Reply #1: Slow dissipation, chronic problems [View All]

[Buzz Clik]

"When the Valdez supertanker slammed into a reef and started pouring 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound, scientists knew thousands of birds and sea mammals would die quickly. But they predicted the environment would recover as soon as the oil weathered and dissipated."

The results of a number of studies agree with those reported in the quoted article. The problem arises from a combination of the slow dissipation of the oil and unanticipated chronic problems in the animals. Petroleum weathers and degrades relatively quickly when temperatures are warm; large populations of microorganisms are present to degrade the petroleum; and, oxygen is not limiting. Low temperatures, low populations of "bugs", and low levels of oxygen combine to result in extended persistence of the hydrocarbons.