Articles tagged with Oil Spills
Scientists discover two types of bacteria that can convert hydrocarbons into fatty acids, which form along the cell membrane. Oleispira antarctica is well-suited for cold polar seas and deep sea environments, while Alcanivorax borkumensis excels in processing alkanes with specific carbon chain lengths.
Scientists analyze data collected from a spring 2011 cruise to determine the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on deep-water communities in the Gulf of Mexico. The study found severe reduction of biological abundance and biodiversity impacting an area around 9 square miles around the wellhead.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released a comprehensive dataset containing millions of chemical analyses from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The dataset, which includes data on underwater hydrocarbon plumes and dispersants, is now publicly available online.
A study published in Physics of Fluids simulates the path of volcanic debris and oil spills, providing a tool for scientists to predict the spread of ash clouds and oil flows. The model can help estimate the amount and speed of ejected material from future eruptions.
Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and University of California, Santa Barbara, used a patented method to fingerprint chemical makeup of oil sheens and estimate source based on evaporation of gasoline-like compounds. The study confirms that the Deepwater Horizon debris is the likely source of Gulf of Mexico oil sheens.
The study identified pockets of oil trapped within the wreckage of the sunken rig as the source of recent oil sheens. This finding suggests that the amount of leakage is limited to these trapped oil pockets, providing some comfort that the situation is under control.
A study found that chemical dispersants used to treat oil spills can reduce the ability of European sea bass to cope with subsequent environmental challenges. The dispersant alone had no effect on fish performance.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill trial aims to compensate for $40 billion in damage to the Gulf of Mexico. Restoration projects include rebuilding barrier islands and marshes.
Unprocessed, raw cotton has been found to be an ideal, eco-friendly material for cleaning up oil spills, absorbing and holding over 30 pounds of crude oil per pound. The sustainable and biodegradable property of cotton makes it a promising alternative to synthetic sorbents.
Researchers have discovered health defects in Gulf killifish embryos exposed to sediments from oiled locations, including heart defects and delayed hatching. The findings may predict longer-term impacts on killifish populations and highlight the potential risks for other species sharing similar habitats.
New research reveals that the Gulf of Mexico has a robust natural capacity to clean up oil spills, with certain bacteria consuming and breaking down crude oil in as little as one day. This discovery suggests that the need for heroic measures to speed up oil degradation may be unnecessary.
The study suggests that oil-eating bacteria in the Gulf are more resilient and abundant than previously thought, enabling natural clean-up. The discovery provides new insights into the Gulf's ability to recover from oil spills, potentially reducing the need for heroic measures.
A team led by MSU assistant professor Michael Wagner confirmed a two-headed bull shark in the Gulf of Mexico. The specimen had two distinct heads, hearts, and stomachs with a single tail, challenging theories about the cause of such deformities.
A study by Sabrina McCormick found that citizen science can quickly identify hazards and provide specific local information, often missing from official reports. The Spill Map collected over 2,600 online reports and in-person interviews, capturing real-time data on oil spill impacts and health problems.
Researchers used hatchery technology to test the impact of DWH oil on mahi mahi embryos, finding that even low levels of PAHs can cause significant physiological damage. The study also revealed that photo-enhanced toxicity can increase sensitivity by up to 20-fold, affecting fish swimming performance and survival.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill provided valuable lessons for future response efforts, emphasizing the importance of preparation and knowledge. Papers present a behind-the-scenes look at the extensive scientific and engineering effort assembled to respond to the disaster, evaluating the accuracy of information used in real-time.
Researchers found that high concentrations of crude oil combined with dispersant can harm beneficial microbial communities in the human digestive tract. However, low concentrations typically found in Gulf shellfish had no discernible impact.
A new study on rats exposed to fuel similar to that of the Prestige tanker oil spill shows a direct link between respiratory exposure to compounds discharged by the fuel and damage to genetic material. The research suggests that people who carry out industrial cleaning of coasts or are involved in cleanup efforts may be at risk.
A superabsorbent material can recover up to 5 gallons of crude oil per pound and is strong enough for collection and transportation. The material transforms an oil spill into a soft gel that can be converted back into refined oil, providing a cost-effective solution to reduce environmental impacts.
Scientists from University of Miami's Deep-C consortium studied ocean heat content, salinity, and currents during Hurricane Isaac. The research aims to determine if upwelling and deep sea responses led to oil spills on the Gulf Coast.
Researchers found that naturally-occurring bacteria in the Gulf of Mexico consumed and removed at least 200,000 tons of oil and natural gas from the Deepwater Horizon spill. The study measured how much oil and gas was eaten by bacteria and how its characteristics changed over time.
Scientists have developed a new oil spill dispersant using edible ingredients like peanut butter, chocolate, and whipped cream. The dispersant not only breaks up oil but also prevents it from sticking to bird feathers, reducing the risk of harm to wildlife.
A 3-week research expedition, GLAD experiment, will map surface currents that transport pollutants. The study aims to improve oil spill and at-sea emergency response by investigating pollutant transport and deposition along the Gulf of Mexico.
A two-year study published in PLOS ONE found that the largest oil spill on open water, combined with cold freshwater from snowmelt, led to historically high dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico. The majority of young dolphins (perinatal strandings) washed ashore along the Mississippi-Alabama coast.
A University of Miami-led study found that wind-induced surface drift significantly influenced the displacement of oil in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon spill. The simulation results correctly predicted the final destination of the oil along the Northern Gulf coastline, matching observations.
A recent study found that the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill exacerbated existing environmental problems in Louisiana's salt marshes, causing erosion and permanent habitat loss. However, the study also suggests that healthy marsh plants can quickly regrow and recolonize affected areas, potentially mitigating the damage.
Researchers deployed omics to track microbial responses to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, finding a succession of microbes degrading different fractions of oil. The study revealed an abundance of genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation and identified the first deep-sea oil-eating bacterium.
The study found that microbial eukaryote communities shifted from diverse nematode-dominated communities to an almost exclusively fungal community post-spill. Fungal taxa found post-spill are suspected to utilize hydrocarbons and thrive in hostile, polluted conditions.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new technique to accurately measure gas bubbles in pipelines. By analyzing phase speeds and attenuations, they can estimate the bubble size distribution, crucial for preventing 'blow outs' that led to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Researchers found that the force of the Mississippi River emptying into the Gulf created mounds of freshwater which pushed the oil slick away from the coast. This discovery could help improve predictions of where oil will make landfall in future spills, sparing fragile coastlines and wildlife.
Researchers have created microsubmarines that can collect and transport oil droplets from contaminated waters, potentially helping to clean up oil spills. These tiny machines use a special surface coating to absorb oils and are powered by ultrafast movement.
Researchers propose a new model for understanding deep-water oil spills, emphasizing the importance of retaining most oil at depth and questioning dispersant efficacy. The study highlights gaps in scientific understanding and argues for increased research funding to better prepare society for future spills.
Researchers have created a new conceptual model for understanding deep-water oil spills, emphasizing the importance of mid-water and deep ocean impacts. The study highlights major gaps in scientific understanding and calls for further investigation into long-term effects.
Scientists are using sound waves to monitor oil droplet size in deep-sea blowouts, potentially guiding dispersant use. Preliminary results show acoustic techniques can penetrate the plume and track droplet size, offering a promising alternative to optical devices.
Researchers call for a new approach to studying deepwater oil spills, emphasizing the need for understanding oil movement at depth, microbial action, and deep sea ecology. This new direction is crucial for responding to future spills and restoring damaged ecosystems.
Residents of Louisiana and Florida, most impacted by the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, have altered their views on global warming, deepwater drilling, and alternative energy. They express greater concern about sea level rise and support conservation of natural resources.
Scientists have discovered that water can float on oil under certain conditions, depending on the size of the droplet and type of oil. This finding has important potential applications in cleaning up oil spills.
Severe ill health has been found in bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, which received heavy exposure to oil during the Deepwater Horizon spill. Preliminary results show underweight, anemic and diseased dolphins, as well as low levels of stress response hormones.
Researchers discovered numerous coral communities covered in brown flocculent material and showing signs of tissue damage near the Macondo Well, 4,000 feet from the surface. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography analysis confirmed oil from the spill was the source, revealing a serious impact on deep-sea animal communities.
Researchers find stressed corals and brown flocculent material at depths of up to 4,300 feet, contradicting initial assumption that such ecosystems are immune to surface spills. The study's findings suggest the Deepwater Horizon spill had a more far-reaching impact than previously thought.
A new study confirms that oil from the Macondo well made it into the ocean's food chain through zooplankton, with residues detected up to a month after the spill was capped. The oil's unique fingerprint was found in some zooplankton in the Northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.
Researchers have developed a mathematical method to forecast the movement of oil and ash in the environment following disasters. This technique uses Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) to detect the cores of complex patterns in ocean flows, predicting dramatic changes in pollution patterns.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a mathematical method to predict the movement of oil and ash following environmental disasters. The tool uses Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) to forecast dramatic changes in pollution patterns, allowing for more informed decision-making about controlling spills.
A University of Houston study found that arthropods in coastal salt marshes affected by the 2010 BP oil spill experienced reduced populations due to oil exposure, but recovered within a year if host plants remained healthy.
A study found that arthropods and crabs were vulnerable to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill but recovered within a year if host plants remained healthy. Salt marsh ecosystems showed resilience despite oil exposure.
A new study published in Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences estimates the economic impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on commercial and recreational fisheries and mariculture in the Gulf of Mexico. The study predicts losses of $US8.7 billion over 7 years, affecting around 22,000 jobs.
A symposium on disaster recovery will focus on the importance of community preparation and collaboration in overcoming emergency hardships. The event aims to provide insights into strategies for resilience and faster recovery times.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that individuals who feel powerful tend to overestimate their own height. This means that those with more power perceive themselves as taller than their actual physical stature. Conversely, people with less power may see others and objects as larger compared to them.
A WHOI study found that mysterious honeycomb material in the Gulf of Mexico came from a buoyancy module on the Deepwater Horizon rig. The researchers used chemical forensics to confirm the source and tracked the debris's trajectory, showing it was ahead of the spreading oil slick due to leeway principles.
A new study by UCSB scientists reveals that the physical structure of the Gulf of Mexico played a key role in the disappearance of methane and other chemicals from the Deepwater Horizon well. The study used a computer model to demonstrate how underwater topography, currents, and bacteria contributed to the phenomenon.
A new study provides a composite picture of oil and gas distribution after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill. It uses vast chemical data to estimate oil and gas flow rate and environmental distribution.
Researchers analyzed chemical measurements in the deep ocean, oil slick, and air to estimate gas and oil leak rate during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill. The new study confirms an average leak rate of 11,130 tons per day, with a range of 8,900 to 13,300 tons per day.
Scientists used innovative computer model to demonstrate the roles of underwater topography, currents and bacteria in Gulf of Mexico. The resulting model revealed that physical structure of the gulf was a key factor in disappearance of hydrocarbon plumes, which were consumed by bacteria that swirled around the leaking well.
A study published in PNAS found that Pacific herring embryos in shallow waters died at high rates after the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill, highlighting an interaction between sunlight and chemicals in oil. The findings suggest oil threats in sunlit habitats, particularly for translucent animals like herring embryos.
A new study by UC Davis and NOAA reveals that small oil spills can devastate marine life, including commercially important species like Pacific herring. The research found that components of Cosco Busan bunker oil accumulated in embryos and interacted with sunlight to kill them.
In 2011, NOAA researchers made significant discoveries about storm systems, oceanic and atmospheric research, and environmental threats. They found that human-caused aerosol increases linked to decreased monsoon rainfall in South Asia, while also improving weather forecasting capabilities.
A recent study found a significant increase in hydrocarbon levels along the Galicia coast five years after the Prestige oil spill, primarily due to forest fires in 2006. The pollution surge was attributed to the badly-handled ship course and subsequent pyrogenic pollution sources.
A study by LSU sociologists found that individuals with stronger sense of community attachment experienced higher anxiety, worry and fear during the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. Strong attachments can create a self-reinforcing cycle of stress and anxiety when communities are threatened by natural resource depletion.
Researchers used DNA to identify microbes consuming methane, ethane, and propane after the oil spill. Temperature played a crucial role in bacterial growth and response to the spill.
A LSU research team found dramatic biological responses in fish exposed to oil constituents, even at very low concentrations. Genome expression and tissue damage indicate potential reproductive impairment and developmental abnormalities.