The Deepwater Horizon has now leaked an estimated 3.5 million gallons of oil. Recently BP attempted to cap the leak with a containment dome. In only a day, the dome became blocked by hydrate crystals and had to be removed. BP is now considering a smaller containment dome, which will perhaps be less likely to fill with crystals. Also being considered, a “junk shot” where debris is pumped under high pressure directly into the blowout preventer, to stop the leak.
Meanwhile, tar balls have begun to wash up on Dauphin Island, Alabama and NOAA officials have warned that oil could be on shore in the Mississippi Delta, Breton Sound, the Chandeleur Islands by Tuesday.
Also of concern is the risk of the oil spill reaching the Loop Current, pulling the oil through the Florida Keys and up the eastern coast. The Current is positioned significantly south of the spill, but both the Current and the spill are on the move.
Finally, if you’re volunteering with pre-spill landfall beach cleanups, please take a moment to review these suggestions from the Audubon Society. It’s nesting season for shorebirds, and in the past few weeks nests have been inadvertently damaged by beach cleaners. Remove only man-made litter, stay below the tidal line , leave pets at home, leave natural debris in place. Please read their full list of suggestions here.
Thank you to volunteers, and please continue to check back for the latest news, information and resources.