Iowa river museum highlights Gulf oil spill with lifeless aquarium

Iowa aquarium highlights Gulf oil spill

DES MOINES, Iowa — The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque (Duh-BYOOK), Iowa, is underlining a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico by displaying a giant tank, void of life and adorned with representations of globs of crude.

The 40,000-gallon aquarium was initially intended to be packed with sharks, rays and corals from the Gulf.

Up to 127 million gallons of oil have spilled in the Gulf since an April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig that killed 11 workers and blew out a well 5,000 feet underwater. BP PLC leases the rig from owner Transocean Ltd.

Museum Director Jerry Enzler says he wants visitors to “pause and consider” the delicate balance of life in the ocean.

The exhibit is part of the museum’s $40 million expansion opening Saturday.