Palau, at risk from rising seas, aims to drill for oil

Many island nations around the world are looking for creative solutions to a pending crisis, predicted boosts in sea level, associated with climate change. Analysts though, question why the World Bank is helping Palau develop fossil fuel resources when the island’s very existence is threatened by the burning of them.
Commission hears: 50 Percent of BP Spilled Oil Remains in Gulf

This remaining fraction, of the total discharge, is a highly durable material that resists further dissipation. Much of it is now buried in marine and coastal sediments.
European Coastal Nations to Create Marine Protected Areas and Review Offshore Drilling

European coastal nations agreed today in Oslo, to review rules for offshore drilling – but each country should decide individually – and to create six protected marine areas in the northeast Atlantic.
Oil Lingering in Waters off Alabama, Mississippi and Florida Beaches

Just off the beach, in about 3 feet of water, the team found bands of oil buried under 4 or 5 inches of clean sand. Tarballs remain as easy to find as seashells.
Gulf Oil Spill’s Vastness Confirmed: Largest Marine Oil Accident Ever

This new study is the first to lay out the details of an analysis publicly in a report independently reviewed by other researchers and scientists. A total of 4.4 million barrels has escaped, given the study’s stated 20 percent margin of error plus or minus.
Where You Can and Cannot Dig at the Beach

Building sand castles on Florida’s beaches, poses problem, tell oil-hunting reporters.
Second big fish kill in less than a week reported in Louisiana

The coastal zone director for Plaquemines Parish, would like to see more testing of the area where the kill was reported to determine whether oil from the BP spill contributed to the kill, as well as earlier fish kill reported last week.
Scientists Document Fate of Deep Hydrocarbon Plumes in Gulf Oil Spill

Studying the behavior of methane and other natural gases released in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Remaining Oil Below Surface, Will Come Ashore in Pulses

This is a long term problem. It’s not simply going to go away.