Gulf+of+Mexico+oil+spill

Louisiana has declared the state of emergency due to the great oil spill. Last 30 April, an oil marine platform exploded and one week later the oil began to flow. Now the oil pollution is near the Gulf of Mexico. British Petroleum said that Swiss company Transocean is the owner of the oil rig and their team, but they are the owners of the oil and they will cover the loses and the compensation for damage. Under the threat of tornadoes, President Obama traveled to Venice by car, about 120 km from New Orleans, and he could see there members of the Administration and BP trying to contain the damage caused by the oil slick. The US Government expects the worst pollution in the Gulf of Mexico. On the spot, president Obama promised “We will do everything humanly possible to combat the spill”. This is the worst ecological disaster for USA after Katrina. From the first day, 800 thousand liters of oil per day are coming out, about 5,000 barrels according to official estimates. On Tuesday night the British company BP sealed one of the three leaks which are pouring oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The company reported that the reduction in the number of escapes will facilitate the placement of one dome-shaped steel structure of about 100 Tons weight.The metallic container will collect the oil and pump it to a ship. If this works that will be the best short-term solution to stop the ecological disaster in the area. The engine will be installed at 1500 meters depth. Meanwhile Greenpeace alerted that BP is using dispersant products to inmerse the oil so as not to cause a greater stain. This product called Corexit will increase toxicity in the water of the region. Greenpeace has a team of experts in Venice gathering information about the environmental impact at sea surface. Involved in this work is Rick Steiner, expert on marina conservation at the Alaska University. He knows the damage produced in other disasters such as Exxon Valdez in Alaska 1989. This expert explained that if the chemical dispersant is not used the petroleum will reach the shore and kill birds, but using this product is likely to kill fish and that will contaminate all the food chain.
 * A New Environmental Disaster**


 * (Alcira Andrés, I2)**

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