BP Oil Spill....what a mess...duh!!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/06/science/earth/06coral.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB

When the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico first started, I had many conversations with many other women about the whole mess. Of course, everyone was focused on the cute stuff - birds etc. that live in the salt marshes along the coast. But, I remember telling folks that I'm not that worried about the wetlands. Yes, the wetlands/saltmarsh areas are going to be a total mess, but it's going to be nothing like the bottom of the Gulf.

Guess what? It's looking like there's loads nasty business on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. If all the 'not cute' animals, polychaete worms etc die off, then what's going to happen to the ecosystem? Having spent much time working in the Gulf of Mexico, I can tell you that over the last few years I have personally noticed a marked decrease in the number of seashells washed up on the beaches. So, does that mean sea snails and clams are living longer and thus no shells, or does it mean that not enough are making it to maturity to eventually die off and wash up on the beach somewhere?

I'm praying for the Gulf of Mexico. I think this mess has only just begun.

Peace.