It's been three months since an explosion on an oil well owned by BP in the Gulf of Mexico caused what would become the worst offshore oil spill to hit the United States. A lot of numbers have been bandied about since then concerning the size, impact and scope of the spill.
1,000
The number of barrels of oil the U.S. Coast Guard initially estimated was leaking from the well every day. (There are 158.9 litres in a barrel of oil.)
35,000-60,000
Revised estimates of how many barrels of oil were actually leaking every day.
4.3 million
Estimated total number of barrels of oil that leaked into the Gulf before the spill was capped.
750,000
Upper level estimate of how much oil, in barrels, was spilled in the Exxon Valdez disaster.
130.6 million
The number of litres of oil-water mix that have been recovered from the Gulf of Mexico.
6.9 million
The number of litres of dispersant that have been applied in an attempt to break up the spill.
1,001
The number of kilometres of Gulf coast shoreline that have been soiled with oil.
1,045
The number of kilometres of containment boom deployed in the Gulf since the spill began.
2,243
The number of kilometres of sorbent boom deployed in the Gulf since the spill began.
40,000
The number of people who have been deployed to protect the shoreline and wildlife and clean up coastlines.
951
The number of visibly oiled dead birds found on the shores of the Gulf since April 30.
1,232
The number of visibly oiled birds found alive on the shores of the Gulf since April 30.
467
The number of stranded sea turtles found dead in the Gulf or on shore between April 30 and July 18. The turtles are being studied to determine what killed them. However, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says the number of strandings is higher than normal for this time of year.
66
The number of dead or debilitated dolphins found in the Gulf or on shore between April 30 and July 18. Visible evidence of oil was found on four of the 61 dolphins that died. The NOAA says the number of strandings is higher than normal for this time of year.
217,370
The number of square kilometres of Gulf of Mexico fishing waters that remain closed due to the spill. That's just over a third of the area normally open to the fishing industry.
$4,300 US
The maximum fine, per barrel of oil released, if it's found the company was negligent in causing the disaster.
$17 billion US
The total amount BP could face in government fines.
$20 billion US
The size of the fund BP has set up to compensate disaster victims.
$265.58 billion US
BP's revenues for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2009.
$14 billion US
BP's profits for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2009.
11
Number of workers missing and presumed dead following the BP rig explosion.
on most nights on the way home i stop at the gulf---is different now amigo---quiet---- and the looks on the faces of those who stand singular and silent----strangers at the bedside of a loved one----i find myself reaching toward a tiny fiddler crab and whispering---be safe my relation---i look for the dolphin and i try not to look at the boats still in port-------------the storms come amigo and we board up and get some peanut butter and enough water and cigg for a while----in a day we access any damage and go on----not so this time--not so with the oil----now there are boarded windows and shuttered doors on businesses although there is no natural storm---just no one around with enough money to buy anything----started with one or two along the highway now there are many----still--the strangers gather at the gulf---the bedside---and stare---i do not know at what.....................
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad situation to say the least...my regards.
ReplyDeleteGosh ... reading iamnada's comment suddenly made me realise its just more than an oil spill ..... such an awful situation and apart from the damage to sea life .... its damaged the lives of people ...... so sad!! Terrible actually. I just wish someone would switch the switch and turn everything off .... allow this planet of ours to recover and be as it should. Greed has always been a bad thing .......
ReplyDeleteit is a tragic accident..wide reaching ripples for humans and wild life..:(
ReplyDeleteAnd effectively today, the Coast Guard ordered dozens of vessels away from the site of the massive BP oil spill today as a tropical storm moves quickly toward the Gulf of Mexico. Lynne, iamnada's write really does make one realize how much this has done. And Cath, I ponder how this effects the wildlife, people and the weather that we are having I might be off but it's been talked about. This is a large story that we really will probably see in one year all the effects that it's done and it's not over yet.
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