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from inside and outside the oil patches." Boufadel said the researchers currently believe that micro-organisms, which would typically consume the oil, may play a key role in the oil's lack of biodegradation along the beaches. Boufadel hypothesizes that the microorganisms, which live in the water and need other nutrients to be able to consume
the oil, may not be getting enough nitrogen, phosphorus or oxygen in order to do that. Or, he adds, a layer or sort of "skin" may have developed around the oil patches, making them impenetrable by the micro-organisms. Boufadel also believes that environmental factors such as temperature could be inhibiting the micro-organisms. "There may be enough nutrients, but the temperature may be so low that these microorganisms cannot grow fast enough to consume the oil that lingers on these particular beaches," he said. As part of the Prince William Sound study, the research team will be using a numerical model developed by Boufadel to account simultaneously for all the factors causing the lack of biodegradation. For more information contact Michel Boufadel at
boufadel@temple.edu
Exxon Hydroacoustics (Photo courtesy of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council)
Lighthouse Complete Seismic and Tsunami Detection System
Lighthouse R & D Enterprises, Inc., of Houston completed the development of the first integrated real-time cabled seismic and tsunami detection system. Integrating sensitive scientific equipment in this configuration was made possible via fiber optic cable and is not supportable by buoy-based systems. The Lighthouse Environmental Tsunami -- Ocean Bottom Seismic (LETOBS) was demonstrated to senior members of Oman's tsunami preparedness task1. ROV - Friendly Node 2. Wetmateable Connector & Cable 3. Sensor (buried in the Sea Floor) 4. Lifting Points 5. Cable Tub 6. Sensor Transit Position 7. Trunk Cable 12 MTR April 2007
force and other key officials from around the Indian Ocean on January 30, 2007 in
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