Gulf spill risk to Canada's East Coast 'minuscule'

A Health, Safety and Environment worker cleans up oil on a beach in Port Fourchon, Louisiana (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

As the worst oil spill in U.S. history wreaks havoc on the Gulf of Mexico, it's too far away to have any signifiant effect on Canada's East Coast says Paul Hill, a professor with Dalhousie University's Department of Oceanography.

The spill does pose an immediate threat to states bordering the Gulf and will enter waters that could be carried north in the direction of Canada.
 
"It could be carried relatively rapidly along Florida's Gulf coast toward the ecologically sensitive Florida Keys," says Dr. Hill. "From there, the current flows eastward and meets with the Gulf Stream, which flows along the eastern seaboard of the States before turning eastward across the south of New England."

Despite the flow of ocean currents towards Atlantic Canada, nature will intervene to break down the toxic contaminants.

"There is little chance that oil from the Gulf will make it here in
concentrations that would have any noticeable effects," says Dr. Hill, noting that the trip north could take months and that oil breaks down in sea water. "The oil would also become progressively more diluted as it moves away from the site of the accident."

An additional line of protection is provided by ocean currents larger than the Gulf Stream which flow south, providing "some protection from possible contamination."

"In fact, our waters often get blamed for the southward transport into New England waters of the organisms responsible for harmful algal blooms, also known as red tides," says Dr. Hill.

"So, in short, a threat of oil from afar might interest readers, but the actual risk is minuscule."