Mixing like Oil and Water (and Dish Detergent)

Great. It's gotten worse. I hope you weren't emotionally attached to, say, the entire southern coast of the U.S., or, like, the ecosystem of the Earth, or anything like that.

Scientists: Newly discovered Gulf oil plume is 22-miles long, six-miles wide

Marine scientists have discovered a massive new plume of what they believe to be oil deep beneath the Gulf of Mexico
...

The researchers say they are worried these undersea plumes may be the result of the unprecedented use of chemical dispersants to break up the oil a mile undersea at the site of the leak.

Hollander said the oil they detected has dissolved into the water, and is no longer visible, leading to fears from researchers that the toxicity from the oil and dispersants could pose a big danger to fish larvae and creatures that filter the waters for food.

"There are two elements to it," Hollander said. "The plume reaching waters on the continental shelf could have a toxic effect on fish larvae, and we also may see a long term response as it cascades up the food web."

Dispersants contain surfactants, which are similar to dishwashing soap.

A Louisiana State University researcher who has studied their effects on marine life said that by breaking oil into small particles, surfactants make it easier for fish and other animals to soak up the oil's toxic chemicals. That can impair the animals' immune systems and cause reproductive problems.

You know, I can't remember the last time a wind mill or a solar cell destroyed all life for hundreds of miles around. Just sayin'.