Scientists at the University of Florida in Gainesville have been performing tests on dead dolphins and Kemp’s Ridley turtles that have been collected and tagged as victims of the BP Gulf oil spill. Their findings are raising disturbing questions.
The New York Times reports, “Studies show that dispersants, which break down oil into tiny droplets and can also break down cell membranes, make oil more toxic for some animals. And the solvents they contain can break down red blood cells, causing hemorrhaging. A fresh dolphin carcass found in the Gulf was bleeding from the mouth and blowhole, according to Lori Deangelis, a dolphin tour operator in Perdido Bay. “
Dr. Brian Stacy, a veterinary pathologist, found evidence to suggest that some of the dead animals recovered from the oil spill are also exhibiting strange behavior in the moments before their death. An examination on a Kemps Ridley turtle revealed that the last thing the animal ate was a shrimp.
“You don’t see shrimp consumed as part of the normal diet” of Kemp’s ridleys, Dr. Stacy said.
The turtle’s last uncharacteristic meal may be a clue to something much bigger; the affects of the oil spill on the brain.
“Oil inhaled or ingested, can cause brain lesions, pneumonia, kidney damage, stress and death. Scientists working on the BP spill have seen oil-mired animals that are suffering from extreme exhaustion and hyperthermia.”
Reports of dolphins dying painful, bloody deaths as a result of the Gulf oil spill can be particularly disturbing to residents of Tampa Bay. The playful, charming mammals are as much a part of Central Florida’s marine landscape as the gulls and pelicans seen from beach blankets. Their loss from Tampa waters would be an insufferable tragedy.
Resources and more info:
The Mystery of the Dead Sea Turtles
BP shuns US government, EPA: Corexit still flows against orders: Media blackout worsens
Comments
we are all going to hell for this...just for cheap gas we are killing this planet.
Ten Reasons you simply must Boycott BP
1. Because it's fun. All your friends are doing it. Lady Ga Ga and Korn are even doing it. Take charge. Your dollar is your vote. If you see a pretty green sign that says BP just pass it by. Don't buy your gas there. Don't buy your cigarettes there. Don't buy your beer there. Don't buy a stick of gum from BP.
2. Because it is the morally correct thing to do. BP is an example of negligence gone criminal and as a result America is paying the price. If you love your country you will not support its biggest polluter. BP has lied to us from moment one, has stalled and downplayed the situation until it was too late. As a result we have a puddle of slow death in the Gulf of Mexico the size of Chernobyl.
3. Because BP gas stations are not really owned by those so called mom and pop "small" franchise good neighbors like BP keeps telling us they are. Medium sized gas companies, subcontractors of BP, that usually own hundreds of them at one time, own
4. Because their CEOs and executives have shown such apathy toward us. Tony Hayward said he "wanted his life back." Another BP head said he cares about "the small people." Hayward refused to testify before our Congress; he just kept repeating a scripted line as if we are stupid. BP doesn't care about us at all.
5. Because boycotting BP won't bankrupt them. They are already heading toward bankruptcy. They will be hit by nothing but litigation after litigation for years to come. They are already going off the cliff but we can give them a little push to speed it up for them.
6. Because BP is like a mafia. BP employees have come into the boycott BP Facebook page and have basically said either shut up and buy our gas or we are going to harass you and intimidate you. BP is a dangerous, criminal organization. They are responsible for 97% of all major safety violations in the industry. They get away with it because they know how to grease palms like any other mafia. They are extorting us by threatening not to clean up their mess unless we buy their gas.
7. Because BP doesn't own America. They have held America hostage with their double edged sword. They caused the problem and they are in charge of fixing the problem. Huh? They've banned reporters from interviewing Americans on American soil. They refuse to give true information about what is happening with the well head that will destroy America. They repeatedly just say "no" to our laws and demands. They act like they are above our laws.
8. Because instead of using all their resources to stop the gusher of oil and to clean up the beaches, they wasted a half billion dollars on a campaign of commercials to save their own image.
9. Because BP has caused the worst ecological disaster probably in the history of mankind. What else needs to be said.
10. Because Bayou Lee from Louisiana says boycott BP and that's good enough for me. --CJ Laity
and if it's good enough for Bayou Lee and CJ...WELL THEN IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. FROM SEA TO OIL SOAKED SHINING SEA BOYCOTT BP. IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
?"When all the trees have been
cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are
polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you
discover you cannot eat money." ~ ~ Native American Prophecy
;_(
where are you finding cheap gas?
I am somehow amazed by the "discovery" ... was it not clear that those chemicals are going to prove themselves toxic to marine life? And to humans as well?
and it isn't even cheap
Who cares if turtles are now eating shrimp, or that some dolphins are bleeding to death, and perhaps millions will die because they've been exposed to all these dispersants. This world is going to have a hard time when the day comes and we all REALLY experience and end of the world type scenario of something so cataclysmic beyond our imagination like the KT extinction. There is way too much whiny caring going on about what animal species must be saved when their dying left and right and the countless blaming of BP. Folks that of which is the past can never come back and be rectified as long as humans exist the potential of another oil like disaster will always HAPPEN. So times to change gears always look at yourselves and be number 1 cause yes more will probably die in months years to come and within that time we'll all see that were stuck in this rut not able to help "victims" so best to just not get so angry etc.
GX J10. Thats a great attitude you are clearly far too well educated to be trolling these articles. The KT event is overblown and isnt the reason for the demise of the dinos.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!