Ocean currents likely to carry oil along Atlantic coast

Ocean currents likely to carry oil along Atlantic coast

www2.ucar.edu

A detailed computer modeling study released today indicates that oil from the massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico might soon extend along thousands of miles of the Atlantic coast and open ocean as early as this summer. The modeling results are captured in a series of dramatic animations produced by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and collaborators.

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The video shows the oil moving not only along the coast, but well into the Atlantic Ocean, meaning currents which cycle the waters could take the oil around the world. Although I'm of the opinion that the Earth has survived oil spills larger than this one in the past, I'm going to guess it isn't a good thing that the world's oceans are going to be polluted with this oil. :dwn:

www2.ucar.edu
(visit the link for the full news article)

Originally posted by Portugoal


The video shows the oil moving not only along the coast, but well into the Atlantic Ocean, meaning currents which cycle the waters could take the oil around the world. Although I'm of the opinion that the Earth has survived oil spills larger than this one in the past, I'm going to guess it isn't a good thing that the world's oceans are going to be polluted with this oil. :dwn:

www2.ucar.edu
(visit the link for the full news article)

Yeah it's kind of a catch 22. On one hand you have the effects of this oil being spread globally which I'm certain will have adverse effects on global sea life as a whole.

Then again the more the oil spreads out the less concentrated it is on the surface. You might call it "diluted" if you will. So on the other hand it might not be such a bad thing. That is only if the leak is stopped imo. Otherwise nothing will do much good as oil will continue spewing into the sea.

Well, I can tell you, living in the area, we have had many storms the last few days, and I am running on battery here, because of lightning..........yeeks!

The wind is blowing in that direction, and coupled with how the stream is picking the oil up, it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

Now that they are saying it will go up the east coast, I'm sure we will soon be hearing how it's going to reach Europe in time.

BP has a lot of work, by way of it's funds, forever to come.

It is my considered opinion that computer models are generally prone to error through omission of variables, miscalculations due to programming errors, and even abuse. In this case, however, the results are pretty typical of what I would expect.

The last report I heard was that two eddies were keeping the spill from entering the Gulf Loop, a segment of the Gulf Stream that enters and exits the Gulf of Mexico (old news by this point, but I haven't heard different since). If this natural barrier were to weaken or be overpowered (as in by a hurricane), or if the intensity of the leak were to overpower it, then the oil would enter the Gulf loop and subsequently the Gulf Stream itself. That is exactly what the model is showing.

Now for the three-thousand-pound gorilla in the room: What will this do to the Gulf Stream? The Gulf Stream is driven by differences in water density, and oil has some unique properties different from water. For starters, it is not miscible with water and will therefore act as a foreign substance instead of a dispersed pollutant. Will it's tendency to thicken when cooled cause it to descend quicker than the water? And if so, will this actually accelerate the Gulf Stream? How will it react with the various salts on the ocean over time? Could those salts be a natural dispersant, and could the resulting decrease in salinity slow the Gulf Stream? Will these two scenarios offset each other, and if so to what extent? Or are there other considerations that I have missed?

I see this as a time for extreme concern, but not for panic. We're capping this thing as fast as it can be capped using the technology we have available. The results of the spill will not be fully realized until the oil is stopped and has had a chance to circulate to the extent it will. At that point, we will know what the damage is; until then, we must do everything practical to minimize any damage and hope that nature is prepared to handle the rest of this influx... I know nature has shown itself to be very good at handling attacks by man, and the oceans are nature's cleaning system for the planet.

"When humanity handles waste, we call it a landfill and it is uninhabitable for a very long time. When nature handles waste, we call it a beach and flock there in droves." - me.

TheRedneck


[edit on 6/3/2010 by TheRedneck]

We need to boycott them and all their products and service stations. Here is a link please comment star and flag!!!!!!!!!!
www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by concerned190

I have to ask this: Why do you not want the oil spill cleaned up?

TheRedneck

reply to post by Portugoal


No doubt this is an evironmental catastrophe, but to the Earth it's going to be business as ususal. Things worse than this have happened innumerable times through the life of our beautiful planet, she can deal. We need to worry about what we can do to help all those affected and to stem the loss of human livelihood.

Originally posted by dontblink
reply to

No doubt this is an evironmental catastrophe, but to the Earth it's going to be business as ususal. Things worse than this have happened innumerable times through the life of our beautiful planet, she can deal. We need to worry about what we can do to help all those affected and to stem the loss of human livelihood.

Oh, you mean like the death of dinasauers, past civlilizations? LOL!

Could you be more blatant at being calm, while everyone else is SCREAMING, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!