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I think the problem isn't the substance, or its natural/synthetic origin. The oceans can deal with oil. The issue is the abnormal concentration. Perhaps an ana
by jws 16y ago
I think the problem isn't the substance, or its natural/synthetic origin. The oceans can deal with oil. The issue is the abnormal concentration.
Perhaps an analog would be oxygen: mammals like you positively thrive on the stuff, but do look up "oxygen toxicity" if you accidentally increase its partial pressure to a few times ambient.
- jonah 16y agoYou're right about concentration/volume. The marine ecosystem deals with a certain amount of hydrocarbons. It's when there's more than it can deal with that we get problems. Researchers at the University of California at Santa Barbara are studying some of the most readily accessible natural seeps in the world right off of campus: http://convergence.ucsb.edu/article/goo-and-gas http://convergence.ucsb.edu/article/goo-and-gas http://seeps.geol.ucsb.edu/ http://seeps.geol.ucsb.edu/ http://convergence.ucsb.edu/news/ucsb-scientists-document-fate-huge-oil-slicks-seeps-coal-oil-point http://convergence.ucsb.edu/news/ucsb-scientists-document-fa...