Charlie Crist

Up to date satellite images taken by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory showed that the oil may have already entered the Gulf loop current. According to reports, a Florida-based oceanographer acknowledged that the loop could pull the oil spill through the Florida Keys into South Florida.

Greg Randolph, a marine and atmospheric science consultant, said that it was just matter of time before the oil spill got caught in the loop. Randolph said, “The wind in the gulf shifts direction often and it would be unrealistic to think that there would not be an eastern wind that pushes the oil into the loop current. Once the oil gets in the loop and is pulled towards Florida it means problems for the Florida coast in a matter of days.”

Interests in Florida, led by Governor Charlie Crist, have been acting proactively in the event that the oil spill reaches the Florida coast and are planning initiatives to minimize any potential damage. Crist has stated his intent to summon a special session of the Florida Legislature to discuss the problem. Last week, he also signed an executive order creating the Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force. The objective of this task force is to focus on the economic and environmental impact of the oil spill, and help businesses in the spill's path recover from possible economic losses.

Millions of gallons of oil have been seeping into the Gulf of Mexico since April 20, when the Deep Horizon oil rig, involved in an oil drilling project undertaken by the oil company, BP, exploded. Since then, BP has tried various unsuccessful methods to stem the leak. However, on Sunday the company succeeded in connecting a mile-long pipe to the damaged oil well to help capture some of the oil flow. Although fitting the pipe is not regarded as a complete solution, BP said it is “an important step” toward capping the spill.

However, while BP realized partial success in stemming the leak, there were signs of another potential hazard, as scientists discovered large plumes of oil up to some 10 miles long floating below the surface of the Gulf. Scientists said that the presence of the oil plumes is something never seen before. A professor of marine science at the University of Georgia told a Cable TV morning show on Monday that the oil plumes are not only large, but are a very complex feature. The plumes possibly mean that more oil than believed is pouring into the Gulf.

Last Friday, President Obama chided the companies involved in the Deep Horizon disaster, saying his administration will be more critical of the oil industry than his predecessors. He also stated that he was aware of scientists’ disagreement over the rate of the leak and the possibility that it was bigger than the federal government originally estimated. The Obama administration led by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is working with various federal agencies to counter the risks from the oil spill.

If the oil does encroach on Florida’s coasts, as is expected, it will result in severe damage to beaches, creating a severe impact on the state’s tourism industry, and the lucrative fishing industry off the Keys.