Gulf Oil May Help Solve The Global Fish Shortage

by J John Swanko

06/29/10 (People Port) NOAA is predicting a larger than average Dead Zone in the Gulf. In that area, oil is pouring in, floating on top, lurking underneath. This may turn out to be very good for fishing next year, if BP acts now, aerating, or oxygenating that zone.

We see the effects of low dissolved oxygen (DO) in our Gulf. To most this is not new. According to the United Nations, Low DO is a cause of dead zones around the world. The USSR's famous one reversed itself and that area is teaming with fish. The normal Gulf Dead Zone was small last year. Without action, it will be bigger this year.

The Gulf's Dead Zone is blamed on nitrogen and the components of fertilizer that make their way down the Mississippi. Back in the Seventies, the technology existed to turn that nutrition into food for marine life. The Gulf's total harvest today is only twice that of aquaculture. The Dead Zone is blamed. Those nutrients are the same needed by the various microbes that naturally eat oil. Most agree dead zones exist because they lack the needed oxygen.

The normal equipment fixing dead zones are deployed on fish farms, lakes, and dams. Water aeration, oxygenation equipment and the like can improve fish harvests. All government agencies involved in our new Gulf War are well versed in the equipment and methods and the end results.

Expected to see the wind mill versions deployed with the large turbine pumps as the oil increases the available food supply, to avoid the accompanied fish kills that us media types love to put out for public consumption.

The early tests results seem to indicate there is no effect on DO from the spill. The fish seem to tell us we may have missed something. Concentrations of fish may be the best indicator aeration is needed. BP needs the Gulf to have a large, sustainable, fish population after this spill is over.

There are possible downsides. Red tide is one. That critter has been causing problems for Florida for as long as people lived in Florida. Some see this as an opportunity to help future Gulf fishermen. Lets take Mr. Hayward, Mr. Bob Dudley, at their word.

All harmful Gulf algae blooms (HABs) have groups dedicated to solving the mystery. Most of the groups have a predetermined bad guy. At least it is science and may be useful in fixing the Gulf.

The first oil effect studies have huge data holes. Those data holes would not have been know without the studies. This is all new science. Those that continue to find fault with it being the first time this or that study was done live in a fantasy-land. Had Congress, This Administration been proactive, they would have been hammered in the media. Senator Landrieu proposed redoing the gas and oil infrastructure as part of the ARRA. A very proactive step.

If reports that mention the net present value of BP's find are are accurate, BP will have more than enough money to clean up the Gulf. They will be their pre-spill image.

Note:

More than one report claim a hurricane would be a quick way to solve the oil problem. They note the inland contamination. I would disagree.

The complete NOAA report on People Port Background.

I am publishing here due to technical difficulties.

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