Ask an Aquanaut: Oil Research
Fernand Dionne asks: I would like to know if you are aware or planning on doing any research on the possibility to use algea to “eat” (dissolve) petroleum, I think it would be a great asset to clean the ocean when a disaster strikes.
Dear Fernand,
We do not do this sort of research, but there are other scientists doing exactly that. Some of the microbes that have been discovered in the deep sea feed on hydrocarbons, so they hold potential to aid in spill clean-ups, but I don’t know if any are ready for or actually being used. Good question.
We are all very concerned about the impacts of the current spill in the Gulf of Mexico, along the coast, and in other waters, such as Florida, if it should spread farther.
Dr. Ellen Prager
Science Advisor, Aquarius Reef Base
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