Oil Still Waiting to be Cleaned Up

On Dauphin Island, west of Katrina Cut, old oil on beaches and in tidal pools still waits to be cleaned up from Friday of last week. New oil still is coming onshore. Here are some pictures. Click on pictures to see larger more detailed images.

Tuesday, July 6, 7:00 P.M., the Mobile Bay Group Sierra Club will feature a presentation by Dr. Riki Ott. and Dr. J. Steven Picou. Dr. Riki Ott, is a marine toxicologist with a specialty in oil pollution. She experienced firsthand the devastating effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Dr. J. Steven Picou, a Professor of Sociology at the University of South Alabama, is currently working on the human response to the BP oil catastrophe. They will be talking about what we can do to help our community cope with this unfolding tragedy. Meeting place: 5 Rivers, Alabama’s Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527 – the entrance is across from Meaher State Park on the Mobile Bay Causeway.

Oil all along vegetation on right crossing the width of the Island, photographed July 5, 2010

Lots of tar balls on beach at Katrina Cut, surfer in background, photographed July 5, 2010

Oil in and between tidal pools, photographed July 5, 2010

Oil soaking edge of tidal pool, photographed July 5, 2010

Oil across midsection of Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut, photographed July 5, 2010

Fresh oil paddy on darkened beach, photographed July 5, 2010

Oil on north beach of Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut, photographed July 5, 2010

Oil soaking edge of tidal pool, photographed July 5, 2010

Fish and birds normally abundant have been markedly less numerous on recent trips to Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut. Exceptionally, sting rays remain abundant and close to the shore.

Hope, tears, broken dreams, memories, tragedy, …