Gulf Coast Disaster - Monday, July 26, 2010 9:14 - 0 Comments

Methane Poses Another Major Problem

There is an overlooked danger in the oil spill crisis and that comes from the vast amounts of natural gas escaping that could pose a serious threat to the Gulf of Mexico’s fragile ecosystem. The oil emanating from the seafloor contains about 40% methane, compared with about 5% found in typical oil deposits. That means huge quantities of methane have entered the Gulf, according to scientists, potentially suffocating marine life and creating “dead zones” where oxygen is so depleted that nothing lives. It’s being called “the most vigorous methane eruption in modern human history.” This is another part of the problem and one that is causing major concern.

Source: Associated Press