Subsea dispersant injection system

Yet another way of trying to manage the flood of oil has been the use of chemical dispersants.

This image from BP shows how the chemical dispersant Corexit is being used to deal with the oil before it reaches the surface.

Hundreds of thousands of gallons of dispersant have been applied to the spill so far--an amount far greater than ever before used in U.S. waters.

Earlier this week the Environmental Protection Agency asked BP to curtail its use of Corexit over concerns about its effects on marine life. BP and the EPA have been arguing over the use of the dispersant. The agency is looking into whether there are less toxic alternatives available in large enough quantities.

May 28, 2010 7:58 AM PDT

Photo by: Graphic provided by BP