Seeping oil threatens ecosystems in Gulf marshes

[babylonsister]

OIL CLEANUP | Coast’s marshes at risk
By DONNA MELTON - [e-mail]


WAVELAND — At least a dozen tiny crabs scurried along the sandy bottom of Jackson Marsh here, just inches beneath a streak of oily sheen racing back into a crude-soaked Gulf with the tide.

It’s a scene that angered Mayor Tommy Longo, who witnessed devastation of a different kind when Hurricane Katrina leveled his city five years ago.

“It was like a kick in the gut, after all that we’ve been through,” he said about seeing the brown goo stuck on the fragile needle rush in the marsh earlier this month.

The marshes on the Coast serve as nurseries for shrimp, crabs and other sealife, a nesting ground for pelicans and other birds and a much-needed buffer against Gulf hurricanes.

The millions of gallons of oil spilled already threatens to kill the intricate ecosystem. Without the marsh, smaller fish won’t be able to hide from predators. Shrimp won’t breed and birds won’t nest. The grasses won’t be there to block the tidal surges.

more...

http://www.sunherald.com/2010/08/01/2373722/oil-cleanup-coasts-marshes-at.html

[spanone]

1. the national media has moved beyond the oil disaster. they have little interest anymore.

it's criminal

[KharmaTrain]

4. An BP's Making Sure Of That...

Notice all the BP ads lately? Seems the rise in these ads parallel the downplaying of the coverage as well as the claim that the oil has somehow "vanished"...time to move on to the next bright shiny thing...

[WinkyDink]

2. But...but.....no-one can SEE any oil anymore! Next story!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

3. K&R. let's not be like national media. please rec this OP

[blindpig]

5. k&r

Kill Capitalism

[Soylent Brice]

6. K&R