As this editorial comment was being written during the last week of July, BP had effectively capped the Macondo well for more than two weeks. Much of the surface oil slick had dissipated, thanks to a number of factors, including evaporation, consumption by oil-eating bacteria, the churning action of Tropical Storm Bonnie, and skimming operations conducted by BP and the US Coast Guard. While there will be continuing efforts to clean up the beaches and marshes, and compensation claims continue to be paid, the media discussion is now heading toward the winding down of cleanup activity.
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