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Natural oil seeps , known in the Gulf of Mexico for centuries, may help us clean up the spill. Scientists estimate that natural seeps in the Gulf release 1,500 and 3,000 barrels of oil each day.
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Natural oil seeps, known in the Gulf of Mexico for centuries, may help us clean up the spill • Scientists estimate that natural seeps in the Gulf release 1,500 and 3,000 barrels of oil each day. • Natural tar balls are common in the Gulf of Mexico and on its beaches, particularly in the Western Gulf. They were even used in the early days of exploration to patch seams in wooden ships. • The many natural seeps, and the bacteria that live off seeping oil, provides the Gulf of Mexico with a natural protection that will help it recover when dispersion, skimming, and burning is no longer possible. Source: G. Lawrence (TREICoL / NPA), 2006