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November 8, 2010

Scientists: Deep Sea Coral Damaged by BP Oil Spill
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In news from the Gulf of Mexico, federal scientists have found damage to
deep sea coral and other marine life on the ocean floor several miles
from the blown-out BP well. Scientists say the find is a strong
indication that damage from the spill could be significantly greater
than officials had previously acknowledged. Penn State biologist Charles
Fisher said, "What we have at this point is the smoking gun. There is an
abundance of circumstantial data that suggests that what happened is
related to the recent oil spill." Coral is essential to the Gulf because
it provides a habitat for fish and other organisms such as snails and
crabs, making any large-scale death of coral a problem for many species.
It might need years, or even decades, to grow back.



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