Paper argues against conclusion that bacteria consumed Deepwater Horizon methane

[Judi Lynn]

Paper argues against conclusion that bacteria consumed Deepwater Horizon methane
by Staff Writers
Athens, GA (SPX) Jun 03, 2011

A technical comment published in the current (May 27) edition of the journal Science casts doubt on a widely publicized study that concluded that a bacterial bloom in the Gulf of Mexico consumed the methane discharged from the Deepwater Horizon well.

The debate has implications for the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem as well as for predictions of the effect of global warming, said marine scientist and lead author Samantha Joye, University of Georgia Athletic Association Professor in Arts and Sciences.

Based on methane and oxygen distributions measured at 207 stations in the Gulf of Mexico, a study published in the January 21, 2011 edition of Science concluded that "nearly all" of the methane released from the well was consumed in the water column within approximately 120 days of the release.

In the current paper in Science, Joye and co-authors from 12 other institutions make the case that uncertainties in the hydrocarbon discharge from the blowout, oxygen depletion fueled by processes other than methane consumption, a problematic interpretation of genetic data and shortcomings of the model used by the authors of the January study challenge the attribution of low oxygen zones to the oxidation of methane gas.

More:
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Paper_argues_against_conclusion_that_bacteria_consumed_Deepwater_Horizon_methane_999.html

[Doctor Hurt]

1. Hope the first paper is right

it would make things a lot easier with respect to climate change.

[iemitsu]

2. yes, it would, but the second paper is probably more accurate.

[Doctor Hurt]

4. Why?

I haven't read the second one yet. The first seemed plausible at the time.

[iemitsu]

5. because the first paper was designed to assuage

the fears of gulf residents and other americans and assumes a bacteria bloom to deal with the added methane. an almost magical solution to pollutants being introduced into the gulf waters.
the second paper attempts to explain fish kills and other events attributed to low levels of oxygen
(which could be caused by increased methane) that were deemed as "normal" occurrences by the government.

[Nihil]

3. Errr ... "Oops"?

:yoiks: