Articles tagged with Oil Spills
Virginia Tech researchers investigate how the shape of crude oil remnants affects their biodegradation rate. They also explore the impact of oxygen levels and carbon leaching on microbe growth, which can accelerate or hinder the process.
Health risks from Gulf Coast oil spill include toxic vapors, oil slicks, tar balls, and contaminated seafood posing respiratory problems, skin irritation, mental health concerns, and neurological impairment. The risk factors are improving as the oil leak has been stopped.
Scientists are studying the effects of the Gulf oil spill on the Florida Everglades ecosystem, measuring hydrocarbon concentrations and food web structure at impacted sites. Research will help design future oil spill clean-up efforts and assess the impact on marine animal and plant distributions.
A University of Houston researcher is using a vacuum device to study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on insects and spiders in salt marshes along the Gulf Coast. The goal is to understand how the food web is structured and affected by the oil spill.
A study by a University at Buffalo professor found that family chats about societal issues can help students develop better reasoning and math skills. However, these chats are uncommon, occurring less than once a month for most children worldwide.
Scientists tested eight common oil spill dispersants and found none showed significant hormone disruption activity. Only high concentrations exceeded safe levels of cell death, but other potential toxins remain untested.
Researchers at Louisiana State University are conducting vital studies to understand the effects of the ongoing oil spill on marine ecosystems, including oyster beds and the health of naturally-occurring bacteria. Additionally, LSU faculty are exploring how people cope with major disasters through social networks, shedding light on a c...
Researchers have developed a new radiation mechanism that can detect explosive powders and potentially destroy environmental pollutants. The technology operates in the Terahertz gap and may help doctors target cancer treatments more directly.
Researchers studying the Gulf oil spill's impact on coastal communities aim to understand how social context shapes individual responses to disaster. The study will investigate negative and positive emotions, as well as social and political trust, in individuals coping with the disaster.
Researchers discover two new species of pancake batfishes, Halieutichthys intermedius and H. bispinosus, and re-describe another, H. aculeatus, in waters affected by the recent oil spill. The discovery highlights the potential loss of undocumented biodiversity.
Researchers used computer simulations to study the possible spread of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Atlantic over a year. The study found that about 20% of the initial particles had been transported through the Straits of Florida and into the open Atlantic by October 2010.
A new strain of bacteria has been discovered that can produce non-toxic rhamnolipids to help degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a major environmental pollutant in oil spills. The strain, NY3 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, shows an 'extraordinary capacity' to break down PAHs and decontaminate the environment.
The NASA Aqua satellite captured an image of the thickest part of the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico on June 10, 2010. The MODIS instrument revealed a sun-glint effect where the oil slick appeared nearly white due to smooth water surfaces.
A team of UMCES scientists will study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on plankton and fish communities in the northern Gulf. They aim to shed light on the environmental consequences by comparing data from previous research cruises.
The Gulf oil spill is threatening to worsen and expand the oxygen-depleted region known as the 'dead zone', a phenomenon caused by urban runoff and nitrogen-based fertilizers. Researchers are analyzing water samples to understand the impact of oil on oxygen levels, which could have devastating effects on marine life.
A new study in the FASEB Journal reveals that different coral species invest varying amounts of resources in immunity and defense, which may explain differences in susceptibility to negative environmental impacts. The research highlights the importance of maintaining favorable environmental conditions on reefs to maximize coral immune ...
A new study is exploring the effects of the Gulf oil spill on oyster reefs along the US East Coast, with a focus on guiding future restoration efforts. The research aims to understand how predators and climate influence estuarine health in natural oyster reefs.
The MBARI AUV is equipped with 'gulper' samplers that can collect up to ten 1.8-liter water samples while traveling through the water or within an oil plume. The vehicle's AI software helps it map boundaries and take samples outside the plume.
A new study published in PLoS ONE has mapped the spawning habitat of bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico, revealing two major hotspot regions where bycatch occurs. These findings suggest that spatial management techniques can protect western Atlantic bluefin tuna on their breeding grounds without compromising the yellowfin tuna fishery.
The Rice University-led Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry journal has released a special virtual edition making 25 previously published studies on the Exxon Valdez oil spill available for free. The collection provides insights into the occurrence, fate, and effects of oils and oil spills in the environment.
The NSF has awarded a rapid response grant to scientist David Valentine to understand how the use of dispersants impacts the degradation of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers will investigate the effects of surfactant compounds on the ability of microbes to naturally degrade hydrocarbon compounds found in crude oil.
The Aqua satellite captured a detailed image of the oil slick in sunglint, revealing an uneven shape with varying shades of bright gray-beige. The satellite imagery is being used to track the spread of the oil spill and inform fishing regulations.
NASA mobilized remote-sensing assets to help assess the spread and impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The agency deployed its instrumented research aircraft, ER-2, equipped with satellite observations to assist NOAA, USGS, and Department of Homeland Security in monitoring the spill.
NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites provide critical satellite images of the Gulf oil spill to NOAA, helping track its extent. The MODIS instrument on these satellites captured the spill's dimensions on April 26, showing a 600-square-mile area affected.
A multidisciplinary team at LSU has developed maps showing demographics affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The maps highlight impoverished areas, minority populations and workers in the oil industry, helping to pinpoint areas where support infrastructure is needed.
Scientists have discovered lingering oil from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill is still being ingested by wildlife in Prince William Sound. The study used biomarkers to reveal long-term exposure to oil in harlequin ducks, demonstrating that consequences of oil spills can last for decades.
Researchers at Temple University found that low oxygen and nutrient levels are slowing the biodegradation of oil from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill. The study suggests that the oil is not disappearing at a rate of 70% as previously thought, but rather at a rate of around 4% per year.
A team of researchers has found that contaminants from the Exxon Valdez oil spill were the main source of bioavailable PAH pollutants in the Gulf of Alaska. The study used genetically engineered bacteria to prove that only tanker oil PAHs had an effect on organisms.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of California, Santa Barbara, has quantified oil residue in seafloor sediments from natural petroleum seeps off Santa Barbara. The oil content decreases with distance from the seeps, creating an 'oil fallout shadow'.
Researchers found that oil spills from petroleum seeps in the Santa Barbara Channel are mostly deposited on the ocean floor, with most of it being biodegraded. The study provides insights into the life cycle of oil spills and their impact on the environment.
The Arctic region is at risk of maritime accidents and oil spills due to limited infrastructure and increasing ship traffic, according to a new report. The report calls for strengthened international cooperation, improved logistical support, and updated weather data to mitigate these risks.
Scientists have developed a colour-coded bacteria system to quickly detect oil spills and pollution, providing a more environmentally friendly alternative to current methods. The technique uses harmless bacteria that can detect different chemicals and warn of spreading pollution.
Researchers found that oil spill clean-up workers were more likely to experience lower and upper respiratory tract symptoms, including chronic cough and phlegm. The effects persisted for over a year after the last clean-up activity but eventually declined, suggesting partial reversibility.
A recent study reveals that oil levels in Prince William Sound's sands remain unchanged since tests five years ago, with oil seeping down 4-10 inches. Researchers will conduct field studies to understand the motion of water and effects of waves on beaches, focusing on micro-organism limitations and environmental factors.
A recent study by researchers at the National Marine Fisheries Service has found significant amounts of Exxon Valdez oil buried in sand and silt in tidal feeding grounds of sea otters, ducks, and other wildlife. This discovery highlights the potential long-term impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems.
A study of 216 individuals found that those living on the coast reported more health issues, with a mean symptom score of 14.1 compared to inland residents. The authors conclude that long-term effects of crude oil spills on local populations warrant further investigation.
A new approach to studying oil, politics, and democracy suggests that America's oil age may be coming to an end. Researchers are re-examining policy in 50-100 year ranges instead of traditional 5-20 year cycles, pointing to potential decades-long shifts in oil policy.
A long-term guillemot study on Skomer Island found that major oil spills double the mortality rate of adult guillemots in Britain. The research also reveals a direct link between warmer climate conditions and higher mortality rates among British guillemots.
A Texas A&M University professor has developed a detailed wave prediction system that provides forecasts for two days ahead. The system uses data from NOAA and complex mathematical models to predict wave conditions, including height and timing.
Researchers have developed a model that accurately recreated the series of events surrounding the Prestige oil spill, highlighting its potential for future cleanup and analysis. The study's focus on asphaltenes and resins not easily degradable underscores the need for efficient containment strategies.
The Texas Automated Buoy System (TABS) uses nine buoys to predict oil spill movements, saving the state up to $250,000 in cleanup costs. The buoys also aid in locating ship passengers lost overboard and helped retrieve the Ehime Maru, a Japanese vessel sunk by a U.S. submarine.
The study found that oil's negative effects last far longer than expected, with some species suffering long-term losses due to chronic exposure. The findings highlight the importance of controlling stormwater runoff and revising water quality standards to mitigate pollution.
Dr. Boufadel is developing new protocols to test the effectiveness of dispersants in oil spill cleanup. He aims to correlate shaking energy with sea state and wave height to optimize dispersant use. The EPA has shown interest in his work.
Researchers predict Alaska's Columbia Glacier will double its rate of retreat and lose nearly 10 miles over the next decade due to increased calving speeds. This is driven by the glacier's terminus being thinner on average and being in deeper water, allowing it to flow faster.
Researchers are studying the effects of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill on Alaskan sea otter populations. Initial results indicate higher levels of an enzyme in otters living near the spill area, suggesting continued exposure to low levels of oil or other contaminants.
A new study by UC Davis researchers finds that few birds cleaned and released back into the wild after oil spills can survive more than one or two years. The study's findings may lead to improved techniques for removing oil from birds and handling and rehabilitating them.