A Crude Clog

The initial plan to solve the oil spill problemin the Gulf of Mexico hit a hiccup recently. The original plan was to drop a dome structure over the top of one of the weakest leak point. Then the oil would be sucked out of the top. However, ice-like crystals formed a slush making the dome buoyant and unable to work properly. The dome idea has not been dropped entirely though. The crystal problem may take a while to fix. In the mean time, Thad Allen, the commandant of the Coast Guard, spoke of trying what is known as a "junk shot". The plan basically hopes to clog the leak with garbage. The garbage would probably consist mainly of debris such as shredded tires. The main concern with this plan is that it has never been done so far below the surface. The leak is some 5,000 feet below. Several areas were warned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters that the oil could hit the coast by Tuesday.

by Jenae Harner