[coasterdigi]

Well, keep in mind that, in the US, the eco movement really didn't begin in earnest until we managed to light our river on fire up here in Cleveland...for the third time....in the 70's. I'm sure there was a significant local ecological impact, but I don't believe that people really paid that close of attention to stuff like that in the 40's.

Of course, you're assuming that the tankers spilled their entire volume of cargo into the ocean all at once, too. Judging from the fact that the USS Arizona is STILL leaking oil, I'd be willing to wager that only a percentage of the total oil on board was spilled at the time of the attack. 10,000 barrels spilled over 40 years is significantly different than 10,000 spilled over a few days.

[EDIT] Sorry, did I say "third time?" I meant thirteenth. Oh, Cleveland.