By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-916685.mp3
New Orleans, La. – The report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says about a quarter of the oil that spilled remains in the Gulf. NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco says most has dissolved naturally or with the use of chemical dispersants.
"We have no evidence that there is any oil that is sitting on the bottom or sinking down to the bottom. The oil that did not rise to the surface - that was not light enough to make it to the surface, is the oil that has been dispersed, either naturally or chemically."
Lubchenco says the oil spill has affected wildlife. She says bluefin tuna, for instance, are in their spawning season. She says eggs exposed to oil would probably have died. Testing continues for a large amount of oil that may be floating under the surface.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming.