The fluctuation rates have changed and with BP in control of the action, coupled with only letting in the Associated Press to disseminate information, are we really in the know?

Sky Truth,who uses remote sensing and digital mapping to promote environmental awareness, stated, “We estimate the spill rate is closer to 1.1 million gallons (26,500 barrels) per day, based on the size of the slick on satellite images and Coast Guard maps, and thickness estimates derived from visual descriptions of the slick. That puts us at a total spill of 21 million gallons so far.”

As monitoring continues, SkyTruth can be our eagle eye in the sky on the growing oil spill. Via the Gulf of Mexico they use NASA/MODIS satellite imagery and publish daily analysis as the situation develops.

Currently, Skytruth partnered with Surfrider Foundation and the Ocean Conservancy to launch an interactive website: called the Gulf Oil Spill Tracker. Take control of your beaches, your homeland, and let Gulf Coast area residents document what is happening. You can search the site, using an interactive map, to find reports others have submitted. Submit your own report by clicking on the map to indicate the location, and by uploading a photo(s).

This article appears in May 5-11, 2010.