Digging up Oil on Beaches

Three beaches, all have been oiled and all have been cleaned. Yet just below the surface of the sand oil remains. We took a shovel to three beaches, Gulf Shores public beach, an area of West Beach and Romar Beach in Orange Beach. Digging about a foot down what we found might surprise you.
The first place we checked was Gulf Shores Public beach we dug several holes and at first it looked pretty good. But the next hole we dug was further from the surf, tarballs and layers of oil could be seen as close as two inches below the surface.
We weren't the only ones digging. Several kids from Centreville were doing what kids do on a beach, digging a hole and along with the sand and seashells they dug up tarballs and when the hole filled with water there was an oily sheen laying on top.
Next we moved to West Beach about a mile from Laguna Key. The beach was covered with seaweed and tar patties. Just below the surface we counted as many as five layers of oil.
What we found underneath the sand wasn't totally unexpected. With every wave that comes ashore it brings a layer a sand.
Today more than 21 hundred personnel were cleaning up Baldwin County beaches according to BP making anywhere from 18 to 30 dollars and hour.