Nope, Tar Balls Aren't from Gulf Spill

Those tar balls that floated ashore in the Florida Keys are not linked to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, scientists from a New London Coast Guard lab have determined.

A Coast Guard laboratory in New London tested the tar balls, and found that those do not match the type of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill, according to a report released on Wednesday.

Twenty tar balls were found on Monday and more were found Tuesday. Where they come from is a mystery, but they can occur naturally or come from other sources, such as ships.

The local lab has been working long hours to conduct forensic analysis to show the source of oil coming in from the Gulr.

Government scientists who surveyed the Gulf on Tuesday said tendrils of light oil were near or already in a powerful current that could take it to Florida.

The loop current circulates in the Gulf and takes water south to the Florida Keys and the Gulf Stream. But most oil remains dozens of miles away from the current.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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