GC-MS brings good news from Gulf

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has yielded some good news from the Gulf of Mexico, reports Science.

The periodical notes that a number of positive items of information have come from the area recently, where work continues to plug the leak from the failed BP-operated Deepwater Horizon rig.

Among them is the work of Edward Overton, a marine chemist at Louisiana State University.

His GC-MS analysis has found that lighter compounds in the oil released into the Gulf of Mexico show signs of disappearing from the waters.

The small circular, linear or branched hydrocarbons are the most toxic component of the oil, Science adds - meaning it is good to see them in lower concentrations as time passes.

However, Mr Overton recently told the Associated Press that lower depths could see oil settle and remain for some time.

The DeSoto Canyon is one area where this may have happened, with the scientist admitting that "the oil down in the abyss - there's nothing we can do about it".