Oil Spill in La., Ala,

Is anyone having problems with their garden plants dying because of the oil spill in Louisiana. The spill could be causing fumes.

Plants should not be dying from fumes. Plants actually filter the air. Coat them with oil and that is an entirely different story.

Hmmm... not sure about that, sapphirestar. African Violets will die if exposed to a gas leak. I know of someone who found out she had a gas leak because her violets died.

A natural gas leak could kill any plant if the concentration is high enough. It's not so much that natural gas is toxic; however it displaces air and can cause plants and animals to suffocate from lack of oxygen and/or carbon dioxide. Plants or animals would tend to suffocate; not by other toxic effects.

Often natural gas leaks don't do much harm to the environment. Some animals are actually attracted to the gas leak. I knew a helicopter pilot that troubleshooted natural gas leaks with a helicopter; he says vultures often circle near the gas leak because the stinky chemical that they put in natural gas to make it more easy to detect is often mistaken for carrion by vultures and other scavengers.

I would imagine that the oil washing ashore is going to do immense environmental damage that will likely take years or decades to recover. I suspect that the cleanup effort won't put much of a dent in the environmental damage.

I doubt that anyone that lives inland that the fumes themselves would have much of an affect on crops. The fumes would probably have a detrimental affect but it would likely be so low that it would be infinitesimal. I wouldn't be surprised if some people try to cherry pick figures to try to milk the situation to try to play victim. I think it is sad that a situation that has victimized so many; that con artists often try to exploit the situation. There are a plethora of people that have been badly impacted and will be badly impacted by this oil spill; it's too bad that ambulance chasers often draw away resources from legitimate victims.

My plants are doing just fine - minus the insects. But living in N.O. I'm quite a bit away from the actual coastline that's getting hit. Man, I grew up in Lower Alabama (LA...haha, and now live in one of the other LA's) and I went to the beach in Gulf Shores and near P'cola all the time.

We're all going to be feeling the effects from this for a LOOOONG time.

The only real 'plant crop' I can think of that could be impacted is sugar cane, but the slick would have to travel further west to south central/south west Louisiana and then manage to go quite a number of miles upstream.

Just so ya'll know, at the local grocery store that tries to buy local and makes ads. about it - pre-spill a pound of 10-12 count shrimp (those are the big ones, not like some 70-90 count you would get at a Red Lobster for their popcorn shrimp) cost $3.68. Last time I looked they're right at $6 now.

Depending on how bad this ends up being I could see local grown shrimp, crab, oysters all going up another 100% plus in the next year.

Anyway.......not many people farm (plants) directly by the coast, salt water + veggies or fruit doesn't compute.

Maybe some folks in Lower Jefferson Parsish, Plaquamines, St. Bernard, coastal counties in MS, AL, FL who live right on the water will not want to eat what they grow in their yard - but hell - back yard gardening is the least of your worries if BP and Halliburtons mess starts washing up on your doorstep.

The other part of the story is that the worst of the concentration is right above the spill where the oil is on the water surface, not what you get blowing on the breeze. They have air monitoring stations set up along the coast. The human nose can detect odor at 10s of parts per million where harmful affects do not occur until you get into the hundreds. I've been in these situations and directly responsible for making sure that the atmosphere was not toxic.

My heart goes out to you guys along the coast. Sure hope someone comes up with an all around solution.
Vickie

This message was edited Jun 9, 2010 5:38 AM

So no one cares.

Figures.

95 views....wow....

This is so much worse than the Exxon spill in Alaska two decades ago.

This is changing America, and so many other people in other places write off the Gulf Coast.

DONT YOU GET IT? we are the third coast and keep getting treated like a colonly rather than an integral part of these United States.

I hate it, I get sick at watching the news everyday. It is in our lives and there is no way out. Our Ecosystem is being DESTROYED.

We have depended on Oil for a mainstay in our economy and even after all this I am for drilling but we need to have a strong central governmet that actually doesn't sit in the pockets of these folks making billions of dollars a year.

I don't care if you live in Oregon or Maine- this is going to have a big impact on your life and you grand-childrens lives as well.

The price of your produce isn't going to go up that much at first....rigs are pulling out, they're going to be Brazil or West Africa bound, once that happens we lose jobs - the price to truck something from Florida or California goes up.....and then you are paying three dolllars a pound for Roma Tomats, Idaho Potatoes, basically saying if the rigs are gone Texas and Louisiana refineries go 'kaput' and other than Alaska we do most of the nasty work that people up north don't care to deal with.

Echos upon echos and it will echo for generations to come.

I was here in New Orleans for Katrina, and I stayed and helped my neighbors defened the 'hood....This is WAY worse than Katrina.

After 50 days not only was my power back on, but I had cable tv as well.

DO YOU GET IT YET?

Four states coastlines are being destroyed.

Please reply to this just to say you care.

That would mean something.

neworleansdude, the original topic of the thread was fumes affecting plant life. It was not supposed to turn into a debate about the spill itself. Yes, it is a tragedy and it will affect all of us for a long time, however, not posting on the thread doesn't mean that people don't care. I do care very much. At some point, I will probably be out helping clean it up as part of the EPA task force. But others see Dave's as a place to relax and forget about the troubles of the outside world and this could downgrade very fast into a political debate which are frowned upon here.

neworleansdude,

I know that the Oil spill is a bad thing and the Katrina thing was bad, and the four states coastlines are being destroyed. However, you forgot Nashville got hit with a flood and Billions of dollars of Damage were done there too.

And don’t forget the War in Iraq and the Solders That Lost their lives over there and the families that sacrifice every day to ensure your freedom to throw fits such as this..

That is why One of Dave’s Garden Rules is Not to Discuss Current events on Here....

And Have Fun so Folks will Have Fun and Meet other Gardeners to resolve their Gardening issues.

We may not change the world but we can help each other with our Garden issues and lil worlds we do care that why we do take the time to respond to each other and put so much thought into the words that we chose to write.

Folks here Do Care thats why we are here and thats why we talk to each other.

Much Love to you through Christ Brother / Sister

By The Sarge ~ ; > )

We need to keep each other informed of what is going on in our country, especially our gardens which might mean our food supplies to some of us. If you think the fumes are not affecting our plants & our air, then thats good news. We need to talk about the garden & be thankful that we have no problems with them. Apparently, no ones gardens are being harmed by the oil spill. Lets leave it at that.

behillman,

I agree Brother it nice to know what is going on with others gardens and how fast it travles acrost the land and what to watch out for .

much love in Christ

Sarge

Dude,
I'm from New Orleans, 6th ward. Been in Texas since '84.

I'm feeling your pain as if I never left.

And...........................I...........................care.....................too...


"Do you know what it means, to miss New Orleans?"

Linda

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a group of people anywhere that would be more likely to care about the effects of the oil spill than here on DG -- most of us are here because we love the Earth. This latest man-made disaster is devastating and made all the worse by the fact that the people responsible have been unable to do anything to stop it, which is the first thing that has to happen before much can be done to try to alleviate some of the damage.

:-(

neworleansdude - I care, I may not be able to do much, but I do care, My sister lives in Alaska, I used to live there also, the quality of life there is not what it used to be.

My son will visit tomorrow - I will ask him "how much of the food that your family consumes does it produce?"

NewOrleansDude, this is not the place to "go off". That's why I deleted my earlier post. This is the place to escape after a depressing day of wildlife casualties and reading the propaganda spewed by BP. I do wildlife rescue now and I've worked in crisis management for my whole adult life. When everyone else is running out, I am running in. An escape hatch is a valuable thing when immersed in a situation like this. People here DO care. They care enough to give respite to those of us drowning in this muck. You've heard the saying, "find your happy place"? Well, this is such a place. You can't live and breathe this tragedy or any other. You have to have a healthy perspective or you're no good to anyone and no use in the crisis. Just breathe. You have to take each day, each victory and each loss as an isolated incident. If you think in terms of "global" or "generational" or doomsday prophesies, you'll be defeated before you even start. This is ONE bird lost or saved. This is ONE dolphin lost or saved. This is ONE family lost or saved. On it goes, until it adds up into actually making a difference.

I think he is starten to get the pitcher folks lets ease up abit and let this thread die out he has become a part of DG and doing good with in the other threads .

if admin hits this it would be nice if they would just Zap this thread before it turns ulgly .


Thanks Guys and Gals

Sarge

I almost responded with an ugly retort to Mr. "So no one cares"

But I will play nice....

We all know what's going on. You haven't said anything we already don't know or have thought. If you feel that bad about it, volunteer and then preach to us. You're close to the spill, maybe you should help the clean up then?

I know if my coastline was a disaster, I'd be the first person helping out. Actions speak louder than words.



This message was edited Jun 12, 2010 7:20 AM

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This message was edited Jun 12, 2010 7:21 AM

Neworleansdude, Some of us are genetically programmed to care so much more than other people, We are the ones who have to really work on rationalizing things into nonpersonal thoughts. Because as much as we want to we cannot solve the big problems of the world.
There have been a few who cared enough to make a difference in this world but they payed a big price. Sometimes their very life.
You spoke your peice. You have that right.
Vickie

Ms Vickie,

looks loke we are giong to git some ruff weather aroud us today and few days aint we ;(

I'm sorry for the tangent.

Admin. if you want to zap everything I understand.

I have considered going down there to get a job that pays....um...at best the same I can make working in a kitchen here. Long term heath aside, I've thought about it but unless I knew I was getting the best safety gear....

and that would start me on another tangent.

Anyway, peace ya'll. I wrote that post in a moment of absolute frustration.

I know people care. Just had a dark cloud over me at the time of posting.

neworleansdude,

I'm Happy With Your recovery Bro You have added quite a Bit to the other Threads and Info too weall have bad days. it's all good No Harm No Foul . Keep your Head up and keep helping folks like you are .i enjoy readen your post .

The Sarge.

I injoyed them also.
God be with you guys.
Vickie


Edited to add Daves Garden people have always been quick to aid victems of tragedys. Katrina for instance. We helped replace gardens, plants etc.Money.
We also have helped individuals who have problems. One example was on the Texas forum.
I have never known a DGer to complain about anyone talking about their problems.

This message was edited Jun 13, 2010 7:09 PM

If you live in America or in the world it IS your coastline that is a disaster. And more than just the coastline is a disaster. And it is OUR fault, just as much as BP's. We ALL own this one.

ants

ants,

As long as their not Fire ants right Jim ! Jim? where ya at Jim ? he will agree on that one their bad critters.

the coast line folks are going to need every ones help on this mess for a long time for sure.

Agreed

Sarge

Has anyone seen the Coast guard along the coast . I have heard rumors of them. Since they are planning to burn off the oil, the black smoke might head towards Florida. I'm just hoping there will be no fumes.

I think of the affected people all the time. I work at a food pantry as a volunteer and i wish we could give them some groceries. I heart aches for all the affected people!! Belle from Va.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/30/louisiana-oil-spill-2010_n_558287.html

Photos

Dyson ,

that is truly sad to go through . and gives one something to think about

Nine years in the Coast Guard, my sister formerly married to another Coast Guardsman, lost most of her family's fortune and income in Alaska from the Exxon Valdez disaster.

We grew up in the tidewater area of Virginia. I cannot imagine growing up without crabbing, fishing and all the memories (and full bellies) these pastimes have resulted in.

I am in the mountains now, but have lived on coastlines around the world, and these times are ones that need strong, decisive action - not words, from our government and business leaders.

Ants you are right - it is a disaster that belongs to the world and we all care more than words can ever say.

I agree with that Brother


Sarge

BP 'Excited' Over Kevin Costner's Oil Cleanup Machine, Purchases 32

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Broadcast/bp-excited-kevin-costners-oil-cleanup-machine-purchases/story?id=10916445

"Costner has spent the past 15 years and more than $20 million of his own money to develop the oil separator, which during successful testing, left water 99 percent clean of crude."

Amazing to me that it takes an actor to fund a team of scientists for the past 15 years and $20 million of his own money to make such a machine. Why isn't it mandatory for oil companies to have machines(on a much larger scale) like this? Wow, just wow! It's Ridiculous!! Never thought much about Kevin Costner but now I do. Good for him!

Good link - Thank you - Having worked with centrifuges at a few points over the years can see how this could work out, but I do not think (IMHO) that the people thinking about the problem are thinking large enough. They are not thinking damage, they are thinking "oil (and therefore) , revenue loss".

The sad part of all this is that if you or I vote with our dollar buy not buying a BP product we will be hurting a convenience store owner instead of the company that fills their tank & ours.

Tired, got to work tomorrow (thankfully), God bless & goodnight all.

I saw on CNN that the people cleaning up the wildlife have discovered that DAWN dishwashing liquid is the only thing that cleans off the oil and is safe for the environment.
AWESOME!!!

Colbert Report spoofed the whole Dawn dishwashing liquid a couple weeks back. Seems Dawn had an ad out a year or two ago where they focused in on how their product could help save oil soaked birds lives.

And I want to be peacable and not get the Admin. to remove this but it is worth mentioning:

It's 95f and to be properly protected you need to be in a full body suit, and most of those jobs are only paying 12$ an hour.

Prior to the 20 billion dollar "shakedown" (spits in disgust) if you average the money BP has paid out it is only 2700$ per claim. I'm not personally in this situation, since I don't live directly on the coastline being impacted, but.....these folks have been seriously short changed. Say they make an average of 25k to 40k a year, and most of that is in June, July and August.

The numbers just don't add up.

I don't have any kids, but think of a typical family of four....mortgage is lower there than in the main metro area, but still at least 900 a month and up to 1500 for people living somewhere like Grand Isle. Sure that check can cover some folks for two months, but it doesn't take into account in a society based around aquaculture only six months out of the year are really productive when it comes to revenue.

Will BP send out checks in November?

Who knows.

Anyway, I hope I wasn't too dark in this post, but there was an issue from someones response earlier that I need to confront.

It's not a situation where you can just go a be a vol. This is hot and dangerous work. Safety gear has not been up to par....and tweleve dollars an hour....come on.

I hope for the best but I try to prepare myself for the worst.

And again, I understand how important drilling in the Gulf is. I don't want to see a moritorium on it! Keep drilling but get some people who aren't in Big Oils pockets to go out and do some real safety inspections on every single rig. Let's keep drilling, but make sure these trans-global corporations are held to a higher standard. That and make sure we get our share instead of it all going to the Feds and Fat Cats.

It's time for Louisiana to stop being treated like a Colony~

(25% of American oil comes from the deep water rigs in the gulf, most off our coast, to a lesser extent Texas, and by far less MS and some from AL and FL)

I stand by every word I just typed and I do love me my Daves Garden people.

Peace.

All i know is CNN showed a picture of a large bird that was very soapy and they said the volunteers said that Dawn was doing its stuff.
And actually there is not that much oil in the gulf and it's running out quickly. Thats been known for years.
The only solution that i can see is for everyone of us to stop using oil products and switch to another form of energy fast. Thats been known for years also. unfortunately we humans are not capable of foresight and as usual will wait till it is all gone and whine What will we do?
The good news is we will survive and come out of this barely ad wait till the next disaster. LOL

I have mix feeling about saving the birds because of the latest news. A big % dies after all the efforts so why not give the $ to the living. My 2 cents worth. Belle