Articles tagged with Oil Spills
A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill spread beyond the known satellite footprint, impacting a wider range of marine wildlife. The research team developed a new framework to better manage future oil spills, taking into account invisible and toxic oil.
Research from Johns Hopkins University found that chemical herders can amplify strong breaking waves, dispersing oil slicks into the water column. This makes effective burning difficult in open oceans, but less effective when combined with weaker waves.
QUT researchers have created a new, safe way to clean up oil spills using a nontoxic, low-cost foam. The foam can be sprayed onto the surface of an oil spill and easily scraped away for safe disposal, offering a more efficient solution than current methods.
A new study by FSU ecologists found that golf ball-size clods of weathered crude oil can remain buried in sandy Gulf Coast beaches for decades. The oil takes at least 30 years to decompose due to limited oxygen, moisture, and nutrients available to its live-in microbes.
Researchers at NJIT are conducting the largest-ever simulation of the Deepwater Horizon spill in a 600-ft.-long saltwater wave tank. The experiment aims to study the effects of dispersants on oil droplet formation and trajectory.
The current Norwegian Barents Sea oil spill risk governance framework is inadequate for integrating multiple risk frames and knowledge systems. Social learning and collaborative knowledge production are essential for developing a shared understanding of the problem situation and solutions.
Researchers found that marine oil snow transfers oil's negative impacts from the water column to seafloor sediments, delivering oxygenated compounds to organisms in the sediments. This process can increase toxicity in deep-sea ecosystems.
A new Duke University-led study reveals that marsh plants killed by disturbances like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill can double shoreline erosion rates. The loss of wetland vegetation increases erosion on wave-stressed shorelines by 100%, according to researchers.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin examines the role of geologic conditions in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The research, published in Scientific Reports, reveals a significant drop in pore pressure near the bottom of the well, leading to a controversial cement decision that contributed to the blowout.
The study reveals that restoration of marsh vegetation is crucial for overall recovery after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The research found that planting foundation species like Spartina alterniflora can facilitate colonization by burrowing invertebrates and fuel the food web, leading to a faster recovery.
A recent LSU Health study reports high levels of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among women exposed to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The research found that nearly half of these women did not receive mental health treatment in the past year, underscoring the need for better access to care.
Virginia Tech professors Shane Ross and Traian Iliescu receive NSF grant to create a computational model-based simulation that quickly predicts contaminant spread. The research aims to improve forecasts of disaster response operations, minimizing environmental damage and costs.
Researchers analyzed data from the BP Gulf Science Data and found no correlation between subsea dispersants and deep plume formation, showing substantial amounts of oil continued to surface. The study suggests alternative strategies such as the 'capping stack' method and bio-surfactants may be more effective in managing blowouts.
Researchers found that Corexit 9500 caused negative effects on Eastern oysters, affecting their immune functions and feeding rates. The study highlights the importance of considering the impact of oil dispersants on marine species.
Degradation rates of oil were slower in the dark and cold waters of the Gulf of Mexico than at surface conditions. Oil biodegradation rates decreased by 4 percent for every 328 feet of increase in water depth, with complete degradation taking 42 days in sediments deeper than 3280 feet.
Researchers tested Oleo Sponge, a reusable technology to clean oil spills, in a real-world setting off the California coast. The results showed that it effectively removed oil sheen without leaving any visible trace.
Researchers from the University of South Florida have published a seven-year study on the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. The study found that fish populations have recovered significantly since the disaster, with some species like the red snapper and southern hake showing notable declines.
Researchers estimate oil spill thickness/volume using satellite observations, enabling more accurate monitoring and response efforts. The study provides critical insights for assessing the impact of oil spills on marine and coastal resources.
A new study shows that sunlight transforms oil into different compounds that dispersants cannot easily break up, reducing their effectiveness by at least 30 percent. The findings suggest that responders should factor in sunlight when determining the window of opportunity to use dispersants effectively.
Researchers found that sunlight has a significant impact on oil clean-up efforts, decreasing dispersant effectiveness by four-fold. The study's findings suggest that photochemical oxidation, triggered by sunlight, is a dominant weathering process that should be considered in future field manuals and oil spill response guides.
New studies show that sunlight transforms oil on the ocean surface more significantly and quickly than previously thought, reducing the effectiveness of chemical dispersants. This process, known as photochemical weathering, alters crude oil into different compounds that dispersants cannot easily break up.
A new USC study uses nature-inspired 3D printing to create a material that can separate oil and water, potentially leading to safer and more efficient oil spill clean-up methods. The material also enables "microdroplet manipulation," which has applications in various fields such as cell cultures, chemical synthesis, and DNA sequencing.
A new review assesses the microbial degradation potential in Arctic seas, highlighting six factors challenging oil-eating microbes, including low temperatures, sea ice, and nutrient-poor environments. The research reveals that these factors can slow down biodegradation and reduce the efficiency of microbial degradation.
Nancy Kinner, a leading oil spill expert, is available to discuss new research on dispersant technology. The research indicates that smaller droplets are created by applying chemical dispersants to oil slicks, posing new challenges for protecting human health and marine habitats.
A USC-led analysis of the Aliso Canyon gas leak found that corporate dysfunction and lack of regulatory oversight led to the largest methane gas leak in US history. The study highlights the need for improved safety culture, better industrial management, and more stringent regulations in underground gas storage facilities.
A study by ISGlobal found high concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead in people living close to the North Peruvian oil pipeline. The study, which assessed 130 individuals, revealed that 50% had mercury levels above safe threshold values, with children under 10 showing the highest risk.
The National Academies' Gulf Research Program has awarded $5.3 million to seven new projects focused on enhancing environmental restoration outcomes. Five projects aim to develop or test new monitoring and evaluation methods, while two focus on improving decision-maker access to public health risk information resulting from oil spills.
A study of ocean flotsam dispersion reveals that floating objects form submesoscale clusters before spreading apart. The findings could help estimate the impacts of ocean flotsam and aid the recovery of lost objects.
Researchers found that even small exposures to oil caused hemolytic anemia in birds, affecting growth, organ function, and reproductive success. The study highlights the widespread impact of oil spills on avian health.
Even modest oil exposure can cause problems for individual birds and bird populations. The study found damage to circulating red blood cells and anemia in birds, affecting reproduction and survival.
The UM Rosenstiel School has received over $14 million in funding to continue research on the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Researchers will focus on analyzing unprecedented data and publishing new findings, while also studying the impacts of crude oil on ecologically and commercially valuable fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
A study by the National Institutes of Health found that Gulf spill cleanup workers who handled oil dispersants or were exposed to them during cleanup reported symptoms such as cough, wheeze, and skin and eye irritation. The study suggests a short-term effect of dispersants on health symptoms.
Exposure to seismic signals from air gun surveys increased scallop mortality rates and altered physiological characteristics, including reflex responses and hemolymph biochemistry. These findings suggest potential effects of anthropogenic aquatic noise on marine life.
A new study found that deep-sea dispersant injection improved air quality for responders at the Deepwater Horizon disaster site. The subsea injection may have broken up petroleum into smaller droplets, reducing volatile toxic compounds in the air and allowing responders to work longer without respirators.
Subsea dispersant injection during the Deepwater Horizon disaster mitigated environmental damage by reducing volatile organic compound emissions in the atmosphere. This led to a decrease in human health risks for response workers and accelerated the response effort.
The Gulf of Mexico's unique flora and fauna are detailed in two open-access books compiled by editor C.H. Ward, covering topics such as water quality, oil seepage, and commercial fisheries. These studies provide an extensive baseline assessment of the Gulf's state and health before the devastating 2010 spill.
LSU researchers are awarded grants from the National Academies of Sciences and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to study inland-coastal environmental conditions, community health, and adaptive capacity. The projects aim to improve resilience in Gulf Coast communities, with a focus on building a Culture of Health.
The Gulf Research Program and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded $10.8 million to support four projects enhancing community resilience in Louisiana and Alabama. The projects will increase understanding of community attributes influencing resilience and develop tools for strengthening community capacity.
A study found that oil impairs coral reef fish ability to find homes and evade predators, affecting their behavior and growth. The impact of oil on coral reefs could be catastrophic, with many people relying on these ecosystems for food and income.
Researchers studying coral connectivity patterns in the Gulf of Mexico aim to restore marine ecosystems damaged by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. By analyzing genetic diversity and dispersal rates, scientists hope to identify critical areas for protection.
A new study reveals oil spills can alter the structure of aquatic food webs, leading to increased fish populations like menhaden in the Gulf of Mexico. The research found that the loss of top predators reduced predation on forage fish, resulting in a surge in their abundance after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout.
The presence of surface and buried crude oil affects redox in wetland soils under flooded and drained conditions. Researchers found that oil slowed oxygen transport into the root zone, increasing stress on plants.
Researchers found that even small amounts of oil can significantly increase the energy expenditure of migratory birds during flight. The study, published in Journal of Experimental Biology, reveals that light oiling can dramatically increase the 'flight costs' of migrating birds by 20% and 45%.
A research team at Berkeley Lab identified principal oil-degrading bacteria and their mechanisms for degrading crude oil components. They also discovered a new bacterium, Bermanella macondoprimitus, which plays a crucial role in oil degradation.
A six-year study finds that the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused $17.2 billion in damage to the Gulf of Mexico's natural resources. The study uses a survey to determine household willingness to pay for measures that would prevent similar damages in the future.
A study published in Science puts a monetary value on injuries to natural assets caused by the BP oil spill, with an estimated cost of $17.2 billion. The research used a nationally representative stated preference survey to assess people's willingness to pay for prevention programs.
The Flame Refluxer technology, developed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute with funding from BSEE, demonstrates potential for efficient oil burning while reducing emissions. The tests showed hotter fires consuming more oil, cleaner emissions, and less burn residue.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed software that allows a swarm of low-cost drones to quickly map an offshore oil spill. The system uses principles from nature, such as flock dynamics, to optimize communication and data sharing among the drones, enabling them to determine the size of the spill in just nine minutes.
Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacts have been studied in two parts, with research on marsh erosion, stability, microbes, and vegetation presented first. The study found that specific ecological communities and animals have responded differently to the spill, affecting food web studies and coastal ecosystem management.
Research from Stanford University identified phenanthrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, as the culprit behind cardiotoxicity in fish exposed to crude oil spills. The study found that phenanthrene disrupts heart function in both marine and terrestrial species, including mammals and birds.
A researcher at the University of Kansas is examining the role of nonprofits in community cohesion and recovery after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The study aims to reveal the social-ecological drivers of response and current extent of recovery in approximately 92 communities using data from various disciplines.
Dr. Steven Murawski's team will explore how oil spills affect economic, ecological and social systems of fishing communities in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. They aim to identify adaptive strategies to mitigate future oil spill impacts.
Researchers at PNNL have chemically modified sawdust to make it exceptionally oil-attracting and buoyant. The material absorbs up to five times its weight in oil and stays afloat for at least four months, ideal for cleaning oil spills in the Arctic.
New research reveals that co-exposure to oil and UV radiation from sunlight significantly reduces survival rates of fish larvae in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are toxic when combined with sunlight, posing a deadly threat to marine life.
New research summarizes what is known about oil in the ocean after a spill, including the impact of chemical dispersants. Investigators highlight the importance of studying extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to improve response to future oil spills.
The first evidence of Deepwater Horizon oil in a land animal has been found in Seaside Sparrows. The birds that were exposed to the oil had a different chemical signature in their tissues, indicating the oil was incorporated into their prey and feathers.
Researchers have discovered evidence of Deepwater Horizon oil in land-based birds, highlighting a link between the ocean spill and a terrestrial ecosystem. The study used carbon dating methods to analyze feathers and gut contents of sea sparrows from affected areas.
Research findings from LSU and other institutions reveal devastating effects of the oil spill on coastal habitats and wildlife. The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative has funded numerous studies to better understand future large-scale perturbations and develop response strategies.
A new study by Duke University identified a threshold for permanent spill-induced erosion in salt marshes, with erosion rates accelerating at sites covered in over 90% oil. In contrast, marshes with less oil impact showed no accelerated erosion and potentially recover over time.
Scientists have created a new material called Nanofur that mimics the water-repellent and oil-absorbing properties of aquatic fern leaves. This innovative material is highly effective in cleaning up oil spills, with some leaves absorbing up to 30 seconds' worth of oil.