Will Dispersants be the Solution?

Dispersants have chemicals deemed dangerous by both the EPA and CDC.

I think the solution you are looking for is metaphysical, Gus. You waited until A2K absorbed an entire forum of philosophers before you finally posted a thread on the BP situation.

What the hell are you doing here, Gus?

Edit: My suggestion is to use Depends and Pampers to mop up the spill.

Maybe instead of dispersants, we need something that will coagulate the whole slimy mess into something heavier than water that will quietly slink away to the bottom of the sea. I don't know anyone who's fooling around at 5,000' below sea level anyway.

Really, I'm serious.

Just noticed the way you phrased that. You imply that BP might one day find it's ass with both hands.

Lots of sea creatures are.

http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/viperfish.html


http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/02/5000-amazing-undersea-species-discovered-marine-census.php









http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/david_gallo_shows_underwater_astonishments.html


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7z0tv_deep-sea-creatures_animals

Not a solution - actually a suspension (chemistry nerd humor)

Dispersant is a contributor to another added problem. Toxicity of the dispersant -- perhaps even an airborne problem to anyone inhaling it.

So what happens to this waste oil if the tarballs etc. sink to the bottom or spread out further? There's still tens of millions of gallons of oil sitting in the ecosystem - waiting. Clearly dispersed doesn't mean removed. How do the ocean beds and micro-plankton get restored with with either the oil or the dispersant polluting them?

The dispersant is also toxic. It might take one good FL coast hurricane and the oil then spread and is lifted airborne, beyond Orlando FL, which is a considerable distance inland. This lifting was the case with Katrina and Hurricane Charlie the killer hurricane http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Charley
which destroyed 50-80% of Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte FL. about 6 yrs ago (damage cost was $15-17b) and killed (directly or indirectly) 30 people in US .

I would like to thank everyone who participated in this thread and also wish you all to have a nice day.