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From old satellite data, two optical oceanographers have created a new digital map of the Gulf of Mexico, which may allow researchers to better understand the long-term effects of the 1979 Ixtoc oil spill.
Ocean floor expeditions near the site of the 1979 Ixtoc oil blowout seek to find out how the ocean is recovering three decades after the disaster. Scientists hope their work will shed light on the future of the waters near the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
Citizen activists tried to stop the government’s recent auction of 4,400 oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico. They failed, but the auction brought in less revenue than expected.
Five years ago, the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster caused billions of dollars in economic and environmental damages to the Gulf region. Civil and criminal lawsuits have kept BP in court for years. Now an agreement might bring relief for those government agencies seeking fines and compensation. But is it enough?
Things are getting better as oil and toxins from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill dissipate in the Gulf of Mexico — but slowly. Scientists researching the area say no one can be sure when the "pervasive" chemicals will finally disappear.
Louisiana’s rapidly sinking deltas threaten crucial oil, gas and fishing industries. Louisiana has an ambitious, expensive and first-of-its-kind plan to rebuild the region — but right now no one is willing to pay for it. What would be the cost of failure?
Texas is the biggest climate polluter in the U.S. It’s also is also extremely vulnerable to some of the impacts of climate change. But the state’s most prominent politicians say they don't believe that climate change is real. It all adds up to a big problem for Texas and the rest of us.
The waters being pumped out of New Orleans' streets will most likely make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. A scientist tells LOE about the longterm impact this may have on the Gulf waters and the area's fisheries.
One scientist connects the dots between an aquatic dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico and fertilizer runoff from farms hundreds of miles up the Mississippi River.
Expanding offshore drilling was vital to a forthcoming Senate compromise on climate change; but the explosion of the oilrig in the Gulf of Mexico has thrown the future of the bill into question.
Scientists make a discovery near the seabed oil gusher. Temple University biology professor Erik Cordes talks about the giant deepwater reef recently found in the Gulf of Mexico.
Author and campaigner Bill McKibben says the oil pouring into the Gulf has a stark message for the White House; President Obama must now urgently rally support for clean energy.
David Michaels, the Assistant Secretary for Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, talks about what his agency is doing to ensure worker safety in the Gulf of Mexico.
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The Rivers South, Part 1
Living on Earth
November 15, 2002
A Journey Down Two Rivers (part 1)
Living on Earth
March 21, 2003
Health of the Gulf
Living on Earth
September 09, 2005
The waters being pumped out of New Orleans' streets will most likely make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. A scientist tells LOE about the longterm impact this may have on the Gulf waters and the area's fisheries.
What's Corn Got To Do With It?
Living on Earth
June 22, 2007
One scientist connects the dots between an aquatic dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico and fertilizer runoff from farms hundreds of miles up the Mississippi River.
Spill Threatens Climate Bill
Living on Earth
May 07, 2010
Expanding offshore drilling was vital to a forthcoming Senate compromise on climate change; but the explosion of the oilrig in the Gulf of Mexico has thrown the future of the bill into question.
Eureka, they found it, unfortunately
Living on Earth
June 04, 2010
LSU researcher James Cowan discusses the oil his research ship found deep in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf's Other Deep Sea Wealth
Living on Earth
June 04, 2010
Scientists make a discovery near the seabed oil gusher. Temple University biology professor Erik Cordes talks about the giant deepwater reef recently found in the Gulf of Mexico.
A Clean Energy Wake-up Call from the Gulf
Living on Earth
June 04, 2010
Author and campaigner Bill McKibben says the oil pouring into the Gulf has a stark message for the White House; President Obama must now urgently rally support for clean energy.
Worker Safety in the Gulf
Living on Earth
June 11, 2010
David Michaels, the Assistant Secretary for Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, talks about what his agency is doing to ensure worker safety in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Ixtoc Precedent
Living on Earth
June 18, 2010
Thirty-one years ago, the Ixtoc well in Mexico's Bay of Campeche blew out, gushing more than three million barrels of oil into the Gulf.