Oil Spill in La., Ala,

I think it was after the Valdez oil spill. That rescuers had captured sea otters that were in dire straits and one of the sea otters became somewhat of a celebrity/icon; I think they named him and used him for fundraising and for a publicity stunt they invited the media and the public to show the fruits of their efforts as they released him back into the wild. The film crew and the public were gleeful as the sea otter was released and swam out into the ocean; then much to the horror of everyone a killer whale or a shark or sea lion ate him on camera and in front of the public.

Part of the problem is the safety regulations have taken the place of a culture of actual safety. It's much like with Chernobyl, where the regulations and the bureaucracy helped create a dangerous culture.

I think part of the problem is misguided environmentalists who have encouraged drilling in deep water rather than in shallow water by the coastline under the false assumption that it would be safer. On the contrary, since we are in deeper water it's going to be much harder to stop the leak.

It's much like decades ago when environmentalists tried to stop all wildfires. Species that were dependent on fire started to become endangered. Slowly the deadwood/underbrush started to build up and become a timebomb; that's why in recent decades that wildfires have become more dangerous and more out of hand.

I think part of the problem is that foreign companies are drilling on and near our coastlines. I think it would be best to have companies from our own country that have more of an interest of protecting our environment. I think it's very frightening that there are many Chinese, Russian and South American countries there are apparently drilling near our coastline that don't give a darn about our coastline.

Many people forget that there was a much larger oil spill in the Gulf. I think it was back in the 80s. If I recall it was a South American country that was responsible for the oil spill. This time it's largely a British company. Last time I think we were lucky and a hurricane broke up most of the oil and I think most of the oil did not contaminate US coastline.

neworleansdude,

I was Harsh with you once but words are like a sword I have appoligized and did not reteact either statment for that very reason . to show just that i can see you have helped folks on here in many places as well as myself opening my eyes to the damages of the coast in other perspectives other than the simple news but the folks that live there as well is is sad and will be a great loss to the world for political gain

Thank you for you understanding and compassion with a hard headed Sarge

Sorry guys but the politics need to stay off the site. This is the beginner vegetable forum and the question was regarding the effect of fumes on plants. If that question has been answered, let's let the political debates and recriminations sort themselves out elsewhere and let the garden be a place of respite.

Terry,

OK Understood !

Sarge

Will the methane Gases pose a problem to Gardens on coast line ?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100618/ap_on_bi_ge/us_gulf_oil_spill_methane

It could be a biger problem than relized .

How far inland will the gases float? & What amount of farmers will lose their crops due to the Massive Oil Spill and the New Methane Gases forming on the grasses and shores of the beloved Land ?

The Sarge Would Like To Know What You Think ?

Me too,As one who has spent alot of time primitive camping out in the southern states, When i camp it is without ANY modern comforts.I know plantlife along the LA coast has already been destroyed. Another thought is when one eco niche is destroyed another will move in, usually a destructive one.How will that effect our plant life? Being a member of two environmental organizatins. I am more aware than most.
Vickie

Gotcha Terry.

Sorry I've (and maybe a few others) pushed it.

I think most people on this website do care deeply about the overall condition of this earth, that's why some of us can get worked up.

As far as the orginal posting I am curious if there's anyone right on the coast that has noticed an impact on their plants.

I'm going to try my best to leave this thread alone (steps off bio-degrateable soap-box :)

Peace ya'll.

OK folks here is Another thought to ponder about the "Fumes"

when the first few folks posted i thought the same thing No way fumes could kill the plant life but any Gardener knows that a bad compost mix that holds or Generates “Methane Gases” will wipe out your plants in just a short time and leave you wondering or scrambling for their lives to save them and you will barley save any if one plant if you do not catch it in time . so it is possible the Gulf coast oil fumes / from burning and the heat of the sun’s evaporation and the wind pushing the fumes across the coastal lands are killing the plant life ! ?

Sarge's Brain is working in overdrive ! :>)

If we get reports that plant life is dying along the coast, it might also be bad for people to be around this methane gas. I read that some of the gas is escaping out of the surface of the water. This gas would be moving toward Florida.

behillman,

the site i posted above tells a bit about it there are concerns about the gases killing plant life and coming on land as well.

Sarge