Principal Investigator Antonietta Quigg describes ongoing research about marine oil snow formation during the Deepwater Horizon spill and its effects on Gulf of Mexico environments. She discusses how this research could inform oil spill response and shares some preliminary results that surprised their research group.
The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is pleased to announce a new Sea Grant informational brochure just in time for the summer boating season. The one-page guide gives boaters information on how to prepare for, respond to, and report an accidental oil or fuel spill on their vessels.
7th year of the largest coordinated research endeavor around an ocean event.
Scientists analyzed Gulf of Mexico model simulations to understand the flow processes that drive clustering of buoyant material such as Sargassum, oil from seeps and spills, and debris on the ocean surface.
The prevention or reduction of coastline oiling was high on responders’ priorities immediately following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Five years later, much discussion continues about balancing benefits and risks regarding dispersants, and there are increased research efforts for alternatives or enhancements to existing dispersant systems.
If another oil spill were to occur in the Gulf of Mexico today, have there been scientific advances and new tools developed that could better inform response decisions? Have communication and collaboration among scientists and responders improved? Yes and yes.
Responders to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill used nearly two million gallons of dispersant to assist biodegradation and prevent shoreline oiling.
A first-of-its-kind study observed how oil droplets are formed and measured their size under high pressure.
The Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute (OSRI) in Cordova, Alaska has supported programs to educate students on topics within our mission.
David Christiansen is dedicated to investigating water movement and using those findings to improve local water systems.