Scientists Find Dead and Dying Coral Near BP Spill Site

"A brown substance is killing coral organisms in colonies located 4,600 feet deep about seven miles southwest of the failed BP Macondo oil well, according to scientists who returned Thursday from a three-week cruise studying coral reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

The finding is the first case in which researchers have found evidence that living organisms in the deepwater area near the well site might have been killed by oil from the spill.

Penn State University biology professor Charles Fisher, chief scientist aboard the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown said soft coral in a 15-meter to 40-meter area was covered by what appeared to be a brown substance."

Mark Schleifstein reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune November 4, 2010.

SEE ALSO:

"Dead Coral Found Near Gulf Oil Well" (Green/New York Times)

"Coral Die-Off Took Scientist by Surprise" (Green/New York Times)