October 8, 2015 – Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

These simulations are from Figure 2 in the study. They depict the distribution of simulated oil droplets on July 3, 2010 for fast, average, close, and no degradation rates. Colors indicate initial droplet diameter in micrometers: orange 30, blue 100, green 300. The black dot is the location of the wellhead. (Image provided by Elizabeth North)

Study Suggests Biodegradation Strongly Influences Oil Spill Transport Predictions

October 8, 2015

Scientists simulated twenty subsurface spill scenarios, using data reflective of the Deepwater Horizon spill, and found large differences in transport predictions when model parameters included bacterial consumption (biodegradation) of oil droplets.