Scientists Study Impact of Gulf Oil Spill on Marine Food Webs

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FYI - I was referring to Cabrillo - You know, I'm so stupid I though Vancouver and Cabrillo were contemporaries.
Furthermore, off shore drilling actually reduces natural seepage into the sea. If our "unnatural" human offshore oil extraction activities ceased there would even more oil in the sea.
In North America Waters natural seepage releases about 155 kilotonnes into near and offshore waters. Extraction and transport of petroleum accounts for approximately 12 kilotonnes, or less than 8% of natural seepage.
Well, it seems us "unnatural humans" are doing better than Ma Nature... Who knew?

R.L. Schaefer of CA 8:52PM January 07, 2011

Vancouver explored the west coast in the late 18th century, not the 16th. The natural seepage was in equilibrium with the environment. Massive spills from human activities are not.

Liam dragon of TX 12:24PM January 06, 2011

When Cabrillo and Vancouver explored the west coast they sailed through vast oil slicks - some extending over 100 miles. Mounds of tar and pitch covered beaches. All the result of natural undersea seepage. Thankfully, oil drilling platforms off the West Coast have all but eliminated the problem.
No thought was given to scientific investigations in the 16th Century. In those days most people figured that nature would do what it always did - without any tinkering needed by man.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 1:45PM December 30, 2010