Black goop identified as algae (Alaksa)

Anchorage Daily News ^ | July 16th, 2009 07:57 PM | KYLE HOPKINS

[tricky_k_1972]

Black goop identified as algae

ALGAE: Still, experts don't know why there's so much of it.

A sample of the giant black mystery blob that Wainwright hunters discovered this month floating in the Chukchi Sea has been identified. It looks to be a stringy batch of algae. Not bunker oil seeping from an aging, sunken ship. Not a sea monster.

"We got the results back from the lab today," said Ed Meggert of the Department of Environmental Conservation in Fairbanks. "It was marine algae."

The color, in particular, didn't make sense, he said. You might expect to see green or reddish algae but not this black, viscous gunk. Whitledge, with the university, said one possible explanation is that the algae has partially decomposed into a darker hue.

But asked if the blob's surprise appearance could be connected to global warming, Whitledge hesitated to draw a link.

"The water's actually very cold this year compared to other years," he said.

Photo courtesy North Slope Borough

A mysterious glob of unknown material up to 12 miles long has appeared off Alaska's northern coast. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Terry Hasenauer says, "It's certainly biological. It's definitely not an oil product of any kind."

[tricky_k_1972]

Key Quote: But asked if the blob's surprise appearance could be connected to global warming, Whitledge hesitated to draw a link.

"The water's actually very cold this year compared to other years," he said.

[theDentist]

And here I thought they actually melted Michael Jackson down for Legos, and some of it spilt.

[TSgt]

[jonrick46]

Quick! Get that algae strain! It may be a source of algae oil!

[InvisibleChurch]

I smell a “hate goop” crime.

[Deb]

The Democrats were skinny dipping again.

[beethovenfan]

I thought it might be Rangel.

[Kartographer]

"Ed Meggert of the Department of Environmental Conservation in Fairbanks. "It was marine algae." The color, in particular, didn't make sense, he said."

This man is clearly a biggoted racist who has an agenda against 'black' algae. As it is Alaska I am going to file an ethics complaint against Sarah Palin because I am sure she is at the core of this racism!

[tricky_k_1972]

Oh cr@p, Alaksa, man this might make freeper lore. (salps self)

[King Moonracer]

LOL. Don’t axe me about Alaksa....

[tricky_k_1972]

Did it again, what the heck is a salp, I need a Dirnk, I mean a Drink.

[OldNavyVet]

“It’s certainly biological. It’s definitely not an oil product of any kind.”

I have news ... Oil is an ancient biological product.

[tricky_k_1972]

Beat Ya to it , Ha Ha!

[WayneS]

The color, in particular, didn't make sense, he said. You might expect to see green or reddish algae but not this black, viscous gunk...

Oh great! An "algae of color" finally makes it good in the world and suddenly the racists come swimming out of the coral reef. It's just another case of the marine biologists tryin' to keep a brother down!

[tricky_k_1972]

Please fix my spelling error in the title, its Alaska Not Alaksa, lol.

[cowtowney]

The Exxon Valdez Blob

[colorado tanker]

Blob ping.

[Conan the Librarian]

I was pulling for Sea Monster :(

[Sloth]

It’s that stuff that turned Spiderman into a jerk.

[wbill]

I thought they actually melted Michael Jackson down for Legos,

Nah, they made him into trash bags. That way he's still white, plastic, and dangerous to children. (rimshot)

Thanks a lot. Tip your waitress.