WMU hopes to study aftermath of Kalamazoo River oil spill

A WMU  professor wants to conduct what he believes is the first serious, published research on the impact of an oil spill on local ground water and find out how oil degrades over time. He wants to know whether it must be removed or whether it disappears over time with nature's help.

The Battle Creek Enquirer reports Dr. Michael Barcelona,  professor and past chair of WMU's Department of Chemistry, applied for a grant in December from the National Science Foundation to undertake the study and is awaiting word on whether funds will be made available.

Excerpt:

And while he said he's interested in how the oil degrades over the time, he's most interested in finding out the impact on local ground water.

"There's real potential for groundwater contamination," he said. "That's my biggest concern."

For more, please read the rest of the story.

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer
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