BP Spill Oil Already Entering the Gulf Food Chain

The recent discovery of trace amounts of oil in blue crab larvae has left experts forecasting dire news for the Gulf ecosystem. It’s evidence that the oil from the spill loosed from the Deepwater Horizon explosion has already begun working its way up the food chain — where it could be fatal to animals who ingest it.

The AP reports that scientists say the discovery of oil in blue crab larvae — a Gulf seafood staple, and a closely-watched indicator for signs of contamination — could confirm some of their worst fears. Namely, that the spill will impact the Gulf ecosystem for years and years to come:“It would suggest the oil has reached a position where it can start moving up the food chain instead of just hanging in the water,” said Bob Thomas, a biologist at Loyola University in New Orleans.

“Something likely will eat those oiled larvae … and then that animal will be eaten by something bigger and so on.”Tiny creatures might take in such low amounts of oil that they could survive, Thomas said. But those at the top of the chain, such as dolphins and tuna, could get fatal “megadoses.”

And even if the crabs aren’t immediately killed by the oil, it could have a severe effect on their ability to reproduce, scientists say. If enough are impacted, it could cause a decline in the next generation — and if fishing is allowed to resume then, the population could be further exacerbated. These kinds of impacts support the claims of other researchers, who fear that the worst of the damage from the BP spill may be done to the strata of life that resides in the deep sea.

Scientists do note that it’s good news that most of the larvae they’re collecting
are alive, and they aren’t worried that blue crabs will be wiped out by the spill — they’re simply too abundant. But they raise the concern that diminished numbers of crabs may impact other animals who rely on them as a food source, and could harm other populations.

By: Brian Merchant

Article printed from: Speakeasy
Cross-posted from: Treehugger.

Views: 42

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Doc Vega posted blog posts
4 hours ago
Burbia posted a video

A few reasons I don’t like jews. It’s not complicated.

These are the reasons I became antisemitic. It’s not complicated. Sure, I could go on for days, weeks, months outlining everything, but I don’t need to. This...
23 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Unusual Discoveries and Headlines
"Less Prone, Thanks Buddy! I'd like to volunteer as a historical reconstructionist! "
yesterday
Less Prone left a comment for t.me/TheIntelligenceLibrary
"Welcome to a revolutionary concept in public communication, the truth."
yesterday
pohonemas33 team is now a member of 12160 Social Network
yesterday
Less Prone favorited cheeki kea's discussion Tartaria
yesterday
tjdavis's 2 blog posts were featured
yesterday
Doc Vega's 7 blog posts were featured
yesterday
Less Prone commented on Doc Vega's blog post Unusual Discoveries and Headlines
"Some incredible pieces of history!"
yesterday
Less Prone favorited Doc Vega's blog post Unusual Discoveries and Headlines
yesterday
tjdavis posted a blog post
yesterday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

First Week of July 1947 an Inflexion Point for Humanity!

The year is 1947 and sometime around July 4th the anniversary of the birth our nation, when a…See More
Saturday
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Government Issued Wearables? What’s Wrong With this Picture?
"cheeki kea Ha! Good one!"
Friday
tjdavis posted a video

This is Paris Now… You Won’t See This in the Tourist Brochures

In this video, I take you through Marché Barbès and its surrounding neighbourhoods — an area that reflects the modern, complex face of Paris most tourists ne...
Friday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Passes Amidst Democrat Lies About a Tax cut for the Rich Being Averted

AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.It’s over, folks. President Trump and congressional Republicans aimed to…See More
Thursday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Wednesday
cheeki kea commented on Doc Vega's blog post Government Issued Wearables? What’s Wrong With this Picture?
"I wonder what wearables must have been like before the last reset. "
Wednesday
Burbia commented on Burbia's video
Jul 1
Doc Vega commented on tjdavis's blog post National Blueprint For Biodefense
"Another scare tactic to push people into anew regime of vaccinations! Either that, or this is a…"
Jul 1
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Jul 1

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted