BP Oil Spill: Long-term risks of tar on gulf coast floor

At the request of coastal leaders, experts from Auburn University examined tar samples that had washed onto Gulf of Mexico beaches following Tropical Storm Lee earlier this month.

The research concluded that mats of oil still submerged on the gulf coast floor could present a long-term risk to local ecosystems as they contain higher concentrations of hydrocarbon than the tar washing ashore.

According to Marine scientist George Crozier, the findings are largely due to submerged oil that degrades more slowly as a result of lower oxygen levels in the Gulf's ocean floor.

BP also added cleanup crews and extended their work hours earlier this month, when large patches of tar washed onto the beaches at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The company, however, declined the city of Gulf Shore's recent request to expand cleanup efforts.

Read the full article on lingering BP oil in the Insurance Journal.

Read more about the BP oil spill and how Motley Rice oil spill lawyers are fighting on behalf of individuals and businesses suffering as a result of the spill damage.