Michael Milord

5/5/10

On April 22, there was an oil spill in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Now, on May 3,
2010, this spill of oil has grown to be about the size of the state of Delaware. As this oil
spill is growing exponentially with no solution in sight. It has the potential to not only
affect the ecosystem and the economy of the costal states, but also has the potential to
affect public health and the weather system of the Gulf region and coastal states in
unpredictable ways.

For this giant oil spill to affect the gulf weather system to the point of causing hurricanes
and tornadoes, it would have to cause a significant change in the gulf water temperature.
To study this, I design a small pilot study.

Hypothesis:
The spilled crude oil covering the sea water in the Gulf of Mexico will not cause a
significant increase in the water temperature.

Equipment List:

• 2 identical ceramic bowls. (9” in diameter, 2” deep)

• 2 identical Thermometers.
• Water from the Gulf of Mexico
• Dirty Motor Oil (from lube oil change station)
• 1 Measuring Cup

Method:
Each of the two ceramic bowls was filled with 10 Oz of sea water from the Gulf of
Mexico, one is kept as control, and the experimental bowl received one extra Ounce of
dirty motor oil. The initial temperature of the water of both bowls was taken before
placing them under the midday sun. Then the bowls were place on the grass, and under
the sun for 2 hour before the next temperature reading were taken. After the second
reading, both bowls were allowed to cool down to a temperature of 80 degree Fahrenheit
or below. Then the process was repeated 10 more times.
Results:
(water temperature in Control Experiment
Degrees F)
Starting Reading 80 80
1st Reading 86 105
2nd Reading 89 108
3rd Reading 86 102
4th Reading 84 102
5th Reading 84 100
6th Reading 88 105
7th Reading 86 107
8th Reading 88 108
9th Reading 87 108
10th Reading 86 107

Mean:
Control = 86.4
Experiment =105.2

P-Value = <0.00001

Discussion:
Based on the results, this study showed that the experimental group registered
significantly higher mean water temperature readings when compared to the control
group, with a P-value of <0.00001.

I suggest that the reason for this increase in water temperature is because the dark oil
floating on top absorbs the energy from the sun, and transfer it in the form of heat to the
water below the oil. And, at the same time, it prevents the heat from evaporating by
acting as insulation.

Since conditions for storms are form when there is a temperature difference between the
higher temperature on the surface of the water, and the cooler temperature of the air
above, this pilot study suggest such condition may exist in the gulf. This study however
did not approach the issue of water vapor, a necessary fuel for storms and hurricane. The
suggestion that the oil may serve as an insulator that prevent evaporation may have a
negative effect on vapor production.

Conclusion:
This study suggest this unprecedented ecological phenomenon, if not brought under
control soon, may have far reaching effects beyond those expected. This limited study
only attempt to explore the meteorological aspect. My hope is that the result of this study
is proven wrong.