Bacteria iz in ur Gulf, nommin' your oilz

[fynoda]

That's right! The little troopers are actually eating the oil in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bacteria seem to be doing a good cleanup job in gulf
Data collected months ago show populations of carbon-eating bacteria rising in parts of a plume of oil. Now, in the area where the bugs were collected, scientists 'do not see detectable oil.'

Comments

[leelakin]

*squints* Still not buying that there is no oil because they can't detect it. I mean, those bacteria might help a little and that's good, but that doesn't mean it isn't still a huge fucking ecological catastrophe which can simply be solved by these bacteria.
Also, anyone know what else the bacteria might "eat up" or how it will affect the gulf? Meh. /pessimistic

[urban_stoop]

I am SO paranoid because of all the reporting I've heard of BP buying scientists, so... *sceptical*

[someidiot]

I really hope this is true and accurate. If we can cultivate this bacteria, imagine what kind of environmental impact it would have! Not just in the gulf, but for any future oil slip-ups that may happen.

[chemchick]

Four for you, Bacteria Coco! You go, Bacteria Coco.

[haruhiko]

*sigh* While it's true that there are hydrocarbon-eating bacteria out there, I really wish the mainstream media would stop trying to minimize the impact of the oil.

Democracy Now! pointed out this morning that Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which came up with these findings that contradict those of other scientists, is funded by both BP and the US govt., both of whom have a vested interest in getting the message out that the oil damage isn't that bad.

[honeymane]

This.

[sarien]

So much truth. I heard this this morning, too. And earlier this week (I don't know if it was on Exploration with Michio Kaku or what), they were talking about how inaccurate this report was. It is extremely dangerous for BP and the government to hide or minimize the real impact that the oil spill continues to have. The bacteria is not the answer from heaven. It's still going to take decades of hard work to clean the oil. We're way to early in the game to whitewash anything. And don't get me started on the dispersant >_<

/rage I have friends who live 2hrs away in the affected Gulf areas. Even if I didn't, Mother Nature is not anybody's bitch. At least we're (somewhat) holding BP accountable. There are so many regions in the world that are polluted because of an oil company. The situation in Nigeria is bigger than the Gulf Spill and those affected have nobody to defend them as Exxon shirks their responsibility. This is all so disgusting. :(