Of nukes and human hair
If BP's second containment funnel fails to halt the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, there are several exotic alternatives.
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If BP’s second containment funnel fails to halt the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, there are several exotic alternatives.
Russian daily Komsomoloskaya Pravda recommends a controlled underground nuclear explosion, apparently a common solution to such problems in Soviet days [What could possibly go wrong? - Editor].
If successful, the nuke would stifle flow from the underground leak by compressing rock against the oil well’s chamber.
Five such explosions were carried out in the 1960s and 1970s with only one misfire, which KP takes to indicate an 80% chance of success in the Gulf.
Runner-up in the weirdness stakes are highly absorbent hair booms made of discarded clippings and nylon stockings.
Non-profit organisation Matter of Trust supplied hair mats to help mop up a 2007 San Francisco container ship spill, and told CBS News that donations from salons and pet groomers have poured in since news of the Gulf spill spread.
Over 450,000 pounds of hair have been collected, though the resulting booms are yet to be deployed.
NBR staff
Fri, 14 May 2010
Fri, 14 May 2010
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Of nukes and human hair
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