1. Define the following as used in the article:
microbe
dispersion/disperse
bacteria
dispose of

2. How are microbes helping the ocean environment?

3. What problem would there be if microbes reduced the amount of oxygen in the water?

4. How did the amount of oil-eating bacteria increase in the Gulf of Mexico?

5. Watch the video from July about oil-eating microbes under "Resources" below.  The woman from the biotechnic company said if left to do on its own, the ocean's microbes could take up to 500 years to disperse the oil.  Dire predictions were made about the mass destruction the oil spill was causing/would cause to aquatic life in the Gulf of Mexico. What is your reaction to the news about the spread of the oil-eating microbe? Be specific.

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