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Community-Based Participatory Research Partnership between Tulane University, Terra Resources LLC, and Gulf Restoration Network
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF BP'S DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL APRIL 2011
Final Report Prepared by Margo Moss, M.S. margomoss@tierraresourcesllc.com and Jordian Karubian, Ph.D.* jk@tulane.edu Susan Longest, Ph.D. * Sarah Mack, Ph.D. Matt Rota
Tierra Resources LLC, 1310 Saint Andrew St. Suite 1, New Orleans, LA 70130 *
Tulane University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118
Gulf Restoration Network, 338 Baronne St. Suite 200, New Orleans, LA 70112
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 6 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 10 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ANALYSIS ............................................................................................. 11 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.............................................................................................................. 12 NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT................................................................................................... 12 OIL IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE ................................................................................................................................. 14 Acute Effects............................................................................................................................................................15 Chronic Effects .......................................................................................................................................................15 Indirect Effects .......................................................................................................................................................16 EXTENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS........................................................................................................ 18 Magnitude of Exposure ......................................................................................................................................18 Pathway of Exposure ..........................................................................................................................................18 Life Stage of Animal ............................................................................................................................................19 Remediation Efforts ............................................................................................................................................19 ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES................................................................................. 19 WILDLIFE IMPACT ANALYSIS .............................................................................................................................. 19 ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES ANALYSIS .................................................................................... 22 Endangered and Threatened Species Research .....................................................................................24 COASTAL & NEARSHORE HABITATS .............................................................................................. 26 SENSITIVE SPECIES ............................................................................................................................................... 29 Case Study: Sea Turtles ......................................................................................................................................31 Case Study: Birds ..................................................................................................................................................33 ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT SPECIES ............................................................................................................... 37 Finfish Fisheries.....................................................................................................................................................38 Shrimp .......................................................................................................................................................................41 Blue crab...................................................................................................................................................................41 OFFSHORE HABITATS ......................................................................................................................... 42 SENSITIVE SPECIES ............................................................................................................................................... 42 Case Study: Marine Mammals ........................................................................................................................43 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................ 46 BARRIERS AND OBSTACLES .............................................................................................................. 47 RECOMMENDATIONS........................................................................................................................... 48 GAPS IN THE RESEARCH ....................................................................................................................................... 48 FUNDING SOURCES................................................................................................................................................ 49 DATA LIMITATIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 49 FUTURE DIRECTION .............................................................................................................................................. 49
CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 50 LITERATURE CITED ............................................................................................................................. 52 APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................................... 55 APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................. MAXIMUM LAND OILING .................................................................................................................................................................................. 56 APPENDIX B ........................................................................................DARRP IN MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA .................................................................................................................................................................................. 58 APPENDIX C ..................................................................................................................... DARRP IN LOUISIANA .................................................................................................................................................................................. 60 APPENDIX D........................................................................................................................ DARRP IN FLORIDA .................................................................................................................................................................................. 62 APPENDIX E ............................................................................................................................ DARRP IN TEXAS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 64 APPENDIX F .................................................... CONSOLIDATED FISH AND WILDLIFE COLLECTION REPORT .................................................................................................................................................................................. 66 APPENDIX G .................................. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES PROXIMATE TO THE SPILL ...................................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. APPENDIX H.................... RESEARCH ACTIVITIES CONCERNING FEDERALLY LISTED SENSITIVE SPECIES .................................................................................................................................................................................. 75 APPENDIX I ......................................................... COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................................................................................................. 82 APPENDIX J ...................................................................................... CRITICAL HABITAT: FLORIDA MANATEE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 215 APPENDIX K ..................................................................................... CRITICAL HABITAT: GREEN SEA TURTLE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 217 APPENDIX L ............................................................................ CRITICAL HABITAT: HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 219 APPENDIX M ............................................................................. CRITICAL HABITAT: SMALLTOOTH SAWFISH ............................................................................................................................................................................... 221 APPENDIX N.......................................................................................... CRITICAL HABITAT: GULF STURGEON ............................................................................................................................................................................... 223 APPENDIX O.......................................................... CRITICAL HABITAT: ELKHORN AND STAGHORN CORALS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 225 APPENDIX P ............................................................................................ CRITICAL HABITAT: PIPING PLOVER ............................................................................................................................................................................... 227 APPENDIX Q...................................................................................... CRITICAL HABITAT: WHOOPING CRANE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 229 APPENDIX R ........................................................................................ CUMULATIVE ANIMAL OBSERVATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 231
4 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX S ......................................................................................................................... BIRD IMPACT DATA ............................................................................................................................................................................... 234 APPENDIX T ................................................................................................. HABITAT RANGE: SPERM WHALE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 239 APPENDIX U ........................................................................... HABITAT RANGE: LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 241 APPENDIX V ............................................................................................... HABITAT RANGE: ATLANTIC TUNA ............................................................................................................................................................................... 243 APPENDIX W ....................................................................................... HABITAT RANGE: WARSAW GROUPER ............................................................................................................................................................................... 245
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 5 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Current and Long-Term Research on the effects of the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report represents a collaborative effort between Gulf Restoration Network (GRN), Tulane University Center for Public Service and Tierra Resources LLC to document the research response to the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The data and analysis provided by this assessment are intended to provide a framework to help guide environmental advocacy and assist in future allocation of funds and efforts to target at-risk species. Our specific goals are as follows: Identification of sensitive Gulf species and habitats likely to be affected by the spill. Creation of an inventory of ongoing and long-term protection, monitoring, and rehabilitation research, with a particular focus on coastal and nearshore habitats. Assess the need for and presence of research, monitoring, and rehabilitation activities.
To accomplish these objectives, we engaged in the following activities: Analyzed data collection activities to identify gaps in research activities. Synthesized preliminary data from the Gulf and environmental impacts from previous oil spills and research. Identified at-risk species based on current population health, knowledge attained from previous oil spills and research, and preliminary research results from the Gulf and Gulf Coast Recommended how research should be allocated to better encompass sensitive species Results and Conclusions In summary, oil is currently and will continue to affect the species of the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf Coast into the future. Acute mortality has been observed across species groups and in coastal wetland areas due to smothering. Indirect and chronic effects, such as changes in community dynamics and sub-lethal toxicity, will likely impact higher 6 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
trophic organisms such as predatory fish, birds, sea turtles and marine mammals. Of the studies on sensitive species, more research is needed to investigate the long term and indirect effects of oil, in order to more fully assess the ramifications of the spill. Knowledge of deep water environments and the effect of oil is insufficient and needs to be more fully addressed by future research. Based on the research analyzed, the greatest impact due to oil will be observed on species reliant on coastal and nearshore environments due to one or more of the following; The already degraded state of the environment will result in diminished resiliency; additionally continued wetland loss exacerbated by oil smothering is cause for concern. The fact that numerous species are reliant on coastal and nearshore habitats will result in broader impacts among distinctive species groups. What is especially concerning is that many species, which utilize coastal areas, do so during critical stages of development, when toxic effects of oil are most pronounced. Coastal and nearshore areas are more readily accessible than offshore habitats, resulting in a larger number of studies conducted in coastal areas and therefore a deeper understanding of the environment and resulting oil impacts.
In addition, our research suggests that the research response to the spill has been slow to develop, and as a consequence data collection during two critical time windows (during/immediately following the spill and the first breeding season following the spill) has been severely limited. Although substantial investment in research in upcoming months and years is expected, rigorously identifying the consequences of the spill may be challenging for two reasons: (1) the lack of data during ecologically sensitive periods following the spill when signatures of the spill would be most evident; and, (2) the widespread lack of baseline data with which to compare post-spill data.
Barriers and Obstacles The Tierra/Tulane assessment team experienced significant challenges locating information about data collection and research activities. These barriers include: Lack of a central repository or inventory for oil related Gulf research Lengthy peer review process
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 7 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Legal barriers impeding the public release of data collected through the NRDA process for as many as 7 10 years An embargo on the publication of corporate funded research Limited funding and timeline available to assess research activities
Recommendations Research Gaps: The following areas in the research were underrepresented, and should be addressed: Long-term studies on sensitive species o Research into sensitive species, especially those whose populations continue to decline (such as sea turtles), since more rigorous long term studies may elucidate reasons for declining populations not apparent from monitoring efforts relying on correlative parameters. Predictive modeling o Projects making model-based predictions need to have a follow up component, to allow better use of models, as well as understanding of the ecosystem and population dynamics. Also, fine tuned models can help policy makers by working as a paradigm in the future for similar manmade or natural disasters Impacts on different life stages & community dynamics and shifts o With many species impacted at critical life stages of development, long term impacts and the potential for reconfiguration of community structure (i.e. fisheries) are unclear. Deep water environments o There is an overall lack in knowledge of deep-water environments, and how they respond to oil. There is a need to strengthen and address deep-water risks. The toxic effects of oil and/or dispersants o Conflicting results reported on the toxic effects of oil and/or dispersants on wildlife. Studies designed to mimic exposure in situ would provide the most relevant findings. 8 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Funding Sources: In addition to aforementioned research gaps, numerous funding limitations were encountered. To ensure immediate research needs as met, BP should be pressured to release research funds in a timely manner. For longstanding projects, the availability of long-term funding hinders studies as most projects can be implemented for only 1-2 years. We propose the establishment of a long-term (15 20 year) fund, financed by BP fines, to provide revenue stream in perpetuity for oil spill restoration activities and research. To guarantee the best remediation technologies are available in the event of another spill, we recommend the establishment of an oil spill research center in the gulf managed as a consortium by the gulf universities.). Data: Most data being collected is done so under the direction of the NRDA process, and thus subject to legal restrictions on sharing data in an ongoing liability suit. More direct assessment of the quality of NRDA research by a panel of scientific experts is recommended to independently assess methodology and practices without compromising legal barriers. For independent data and research not regulated under NRDA, increased data sharing via a central data repository would foster transparency and dialogue among Gulf researchers. Funding by BP and federal agencies could be contingent on inclusion in aforementioned Gulf research database. A comprehensive list of relevant research within academia would allow greater flow of ideas and interdisciplinary cooperation. Future Direction: Due to limited funding the scope of this assessment was focused towards near-shore impacts. This assessment was further limited as many research activities are not complete and have not published results at this time. Recommendations include: (1) further analysis in 12-18 months when data and findings are published (2) expand scope to address offshore impacts, and (3) develop a publically accessible research activity repository to disseminate important research findings and facilitate partnerships to leverage available funding and resources.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 9 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
INTRODUCTION
The April 20th failure of the Deepwater Horizon resulted in an unprecedented release of approximately 4.4 4.9 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico (Crone et al., 2010; NOAA, 2010), which will likely affect Gulf Coast life, ecosystems and livelihoods for years, if not decades. The oil released from the Deepwater well is classified as Louisiana light crude. It is moderately volatile and leaves a film on intertidal resources, having the potential to cause long-term contamination (USFWS, 2010). Oil removed from the Gulf was recovered, burned, naturally dispersed, evaporated or dissolved by bacteria, chemically dispersed, or skimmed. As of August, the government estimates 1,253,839 barrels of oil remain in the Gulf (NOAA, 2010). Figure 1 illustrates the observed ground oiling to date as well as the location of the Deepwater Horizon Wellhead.
Figure 1. Oil Spill Landfall Source: New York Times
At the time of writing this report (April 2011), sensitive coastal areas which continue to remain oiled include: Biloxi State Wildlife Management Area, Isles Dernieres Barrier Island Refuge, East Timbalier Island National Wildlife Refuge, Barataria Bay, Pass A Loutre State Wildlife Management Area, areas in the Chandeleur Sound, Brenton National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Pickens State Park Aquatic Preserve, Gulf Islands National Seashore (Appendix A). Some of the most heavily oiled areas are barrier islands and coastal habitats that provide critical bird 10 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
nesting habitats. For instance, the barrier islands provide a crucial stopover spot for migrating birds coming from South America. Gulf Coast habits provide stopover habitat for an estimated 75 percent of the waterfowl migrating along the Central Flyway (Environmental Health Center, 1998). These habitats also allow for the required life-cycle migration of some fish and invertebrate species. The salt marshes and seagrasses serve as critical habitat and nursery areas for aquatic species, birds and other wildlife. The undisturbed sandy beaches provide nesting habitat for several endangered birds and sea turtle species, as well as some or a number of commercially and recreationally important species. In addition to ground oiling, a continuous plume of oil was formed in the marine environment of more than 35 kilometers in length (Camilli et al., 2010). Two EPA approved dispersants, Corexit 9500 and 9527A, have been used extensively in the Gulf to break down oil slicks more rapidly. The use of dispersants can lessen wildlife exposure by reducing residence time of oil in the environment, via accelerated microbial decomposition. While dispersants are relatively nontoxic alone, mixing with a toxic substance has the potential to make that substance more bioavailable (Dye et al., 1980; Gulec, 1997). However, there is disagreement in the literature on the extent to which this is true (Perkins et al., 1973; Fuller et al., 2004), and the toxic effects of dispersants vary greatly depending on type of dispersant, method of application, mixture with oil, duration of exposure, type of organism and other variables. The combination of dispersants and crude oil can be more toxic than either alone, since they contain many ingredients that target the same organs in the body. In addition, dispersants facilitate the entry of oil into the bodys cells, which can result in damage to every organ system (NRC, 2005; Nalco, 2010; Burns & Harbut, 2010).
Research Activities
Research Restoration Monitoring
Research Themes
Food webs Community Structure Dispersants Toxicology Impact on life stages of aquatic animals Ecosystem health & indicators Oil spill modeling & tracking Hypoxia
Figure 2. Space Elements Source: Unified Area Command Adapted from Horizon MC 252 Response: Strategic plan for sub-sea and sub-surface oil and dispersant detection, sampling and monitoring
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
12 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
The Gulf of Mexico and its coastal areas provide essential ecosystem services including wildlife habitat, storm buffer and carbon storage (Table 2). After an oil spill or hazardous substance release, federal trustees conduct studies to identify the extent of resource injuries, the best methods for restoring those resources, and the type and amount of restoration required (Appendix B; Appendix C; Appendix D; Appendix E). Currently, environmental data are being collected by the several state and federal agencies. Ecosystem Services considered for the National Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) are divided according to anthropogenic use (Table 2).
Table 2. Damage assessment, remediation, and restoration program (DARRP). Source: Reid et al. 2005
Processes that provide the foundation for all ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling and primary production Direct material benefits that humans receive from the products of ecosystems, such as food (fisheries), timber, and genetic resources. Indirect benefits provided by natural systems, such as retaining and purifying of water in wetlands or mitigation of natural hazards (e.g., storms) by coastal marshes and mangrove forests. A broad category that includes the general values humans place on natural areas. Benefits may be gained through direct use, such as recreational activities (recreational fishing and swimming), or through the value placed by the public on the continued existence of natural resources, including aesthetic values, bequest or generational values, and community and spiritual connections to natural resources.
Regulating Services
Cultural Services
Less tangible ecosystem services such as biodiversity protection, while recognized, are difficult to quantify. Environmental degradation and pollution resulting from the Deepwater Horizon spill have the potential to reduce the capacity and efficiency of all ecosystem services. However, the extent of harm and liability will be officially determined upon completion of the NRDA process (NOAA 2010; Figure 3), and will likely be contested.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 13 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Figure 3. Damage assessment, remediation, and restoration program (DARRP). Source: NOAA Adapted from Oil Spill NRDA Process and Deepwater Horizon Incident
Oil Spill Liability
Public Concerns
Private Concerns
Environmental Issues
Perhaps the most extensive spill-related research conducted to date has been done under the auspices of the NRDA process. The federal government has subcontracted independent companies (e.g., Biodiversity Research Institute based in Maine) and state agencies (e.g., Louisiana Department of Fisheries and Wildlife) to implement NRDA-related studies. These groups typically seek collaboration with experts within academia to assist with project design and interpretation of results. We are aware of major research efforts currently in progress under the NRDA process to document effects of the spill on waterbirds, amphibians and reptiles. Unfortunately, data collected through the NRDA process is considered evidence for impending litigation between BP and the U.S. government, and as such these results are not expected to become publically available for as many as 7 10 years. Somewhat ironically, the most intensive database on effects of the spill on sensitive vertebrate species will not become available to guide mitigation, rehabilitation and conservation efforts during the critical years following the spill when these activities would be most effective.
Four major environmental stressors have resulted from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: physical oiling, PAHs, volatile organic compounds, and remediation efforts (including dispersants). Oil can impact wildlife through direct exposure with toxins, or indirectly via changes in food webs, community structure, behavior and other synergistic interactions (Table 3). Oil spills can directly affect wildlife through three primary pathways: ingestion, absorption and inhalation. Animals may absorb oil directly through the skin after exposure. Ingestion occurs when animals swallow oil particles, or consume prey that has been exposed to oil. Additionally, animals may inhale volatile organics released from oil and dispersants. Oil may cause immediate mortality, known as acute effects. Alternatively, chronic detrimental consequences lead to delayed mortality or reduced fitness.
ACUTE EFFECTS
Exposure to dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from crude oil has many direct and acute effects on plant and animal populations. PAHs are particularly toxic during the early life stages of fish (Schein et al., 2009; Carls, Rice & Hose, 2009). These compounds delay embryonic development and cause mortality, edema, and anemia in aquatic organisms (Carls & Thedinga, 2010). Even low levels of PAH exposure causes plants to experience high mortality via direct contact of photosynthetic surfaces to the PAHs, as well as penetration of the plants substrate by these compounds (Mendelssohn et al., 1990). The direct effects of dispersants in combination with PAH exposure is poorly understood; however, it is known that dispersion of oil increases the bioavailability and toxicity of PAHs to aquatic organisms (Schein et al., 2009).
CHRONIC EFFECTS
PAH exposure can also result in chronic and delayed effects among different organisms (Short et al., 2003). Though much attention focuses on quantifying acute mortality levels following oil spills, recent findings suggest that mortality due to chronic exposure to residual oil may be even more extensive (Iverson & Esler, 2010). Some organisms, such as harlequin ducks, take multiple decades to recover from the chronic effects of the oil spill on fecundity and survival rates (Esler & Iverson, 2010; Iverson & Esler, 2010). With oil persisting for decades after a spill (Xia & Boufadel, 2010), our understanding of the resultant effects and the strength of their influence on the population in question is still only in the beginning stages. OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 15 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
INDIRECT EFFECTS
F OOD W EBS
Food webs are an important indicator of oil-spill effects in revealing the contamination of organisms by toxic PAHs, and the effects of consumption of these organisms by predators at multiple trophic levels. Many invertebrates are important indicators of environmental pollution due to their accumulation of PAHs as a result of filter-feeding (Rey-Salgueiro et al., 2009), which enables them to reveal how PAHs progress across trophic levels. For example, predators that consumed mussels contaminated with PAHs experienced measurable levels of DNA damage (Lemiere et al., 2005). A similar scenario applies to species reliant on contaminated fish stocks. Furthermore, the loss of organisms at lower trophic levels from the acute effects of oil exposure results in the loss of food sources for consumers at higher trophic levels (McCay & Rowe 2003). Thus, oil exposure affects food webs, and thus entire community assemblages, via both acute effects, e.g. loss of organisms at different trophic levels, and chronic effects, e.g. DNA damage due to consumption of contaminated organisms.
C OMMUNITY D YNAMICS AND S TRUCTURE
An environmental trauma such as the release of several million gallons of oil has the potential to reconfigure ecological communities. Major shifts may occur in species composition as some groups are dramatically reduced (i.e., species with larval stages in the water during the spill, such as the blue crab) and other groups may dramatically increase (e.g., oil-consuming bacteria). Given the trophic interconnectivity covered in the preceding paragraph, this community reconfiguration is likely to have cascading effects through various trophic levels which may further compound the effects of the spill.
B EHAVIOR
Oil exposure can have great impacts on the breeding biology, reproductive success, and dispersal of organisms. Beyond the initial mortality due to direct contact with oil, lower fecundity and survival, and thus lower reproductive success, is common during the breeding season following the oil spill (Esler & Iverson 2010). During subsequent breeding seasons, surviving de-oiled organisms often rejoin the breeding population. However, there may be survival and fecundity differences with non-oiled individuals, in that de-oiled individuals may abstain from breeding and experience lower survival when breeding (Wolfaardt et al., 2008). Thus, the costs of 16 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
reproduction may be higher for de-oiled individuals when compared with non-oiled individuals.
Table 3. Oil Impacts on Wildlife
Acute Direct PAHs can cause direct mortality to plants and animals through smothering, physical contact, ingestion, absorption and inhalation (toxicity) Juvenile and larval stages most susceptible Effects of dispersants in combination with PAHs poorly understood
Chronic Histological, biochemical, behavioral, reproductive, and developmental effects Sublethal amounts force a trade-off between functions related to exposure response (e.g., cleaning and damaged tissue regeneration) and normal energy expenditures (e.g., growth and reproduction). Sublethal effects such as: DNA damage, liver disease, cancer, and reproductive, developmental, and immune system impairment, stress response
FOOD WEBS Contaminated food sources and passage of toxins to higher trophic levels. PAHs can accumulate in invertebrates, which may be unable to efficiently metabolize the compounds. Reduced food sources for consumers COMMUNTIY STRUCTURE Trophic cascades (change in number or behavior of interconnected organisms) Loss of key food source of predatory species and effects on community structure BEHAVIOR Breeding performance Migratory & dispersal behavior Increased foraging time OTHER Feedback effects / interaction with hypoxia
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 17 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Habitat loss/ reduced carrying capacity of the environment Changes in foraging location Disruption to natural lifecycle
MAGNITUDE OF EXPOSURE
The amount and duration of exposure, together termed magnitude, influences the degree of harm caused to the organism. Examples include the amount of time the skin is in direct contact with oil, or the amount of toxic material ingested or inhaled. An extensive spill increases the likelihood that organisms will come in contact with oil particles, which increases the magnitude of exposure. Wave action, prevailing winds and dispersants can accelerate the rate of oil from the surface mixing into the water column, reducing exposure to species that spend time at or near the surface, while increasing exposure of organisms in the water column and ocean bottom (benthic) to smaller particles. In the Deepwater Horizon incident, sub-surface oil was extensively present though difficult to assess accurately (Camilli et al., 2010). Additionally, considerable dispersant use redirected oil from the surface to the waters below.
PATHWAY OF EXPOSURE
The route by which an animal is exposed to oil (ingestion, absorption, or inhalation) can also influence the rate and toxicity of the effects. Sedentary animals, such as oysters, will have high rates of exposure through ingestion due to their limited ability to escape the extent of the spill. Mobile animals with varied diets, such as sea turtles, may have fairly limited contact with oil through the ingestion route, yet may absorb oil from environmental contamination such as beach nesting sites (NOAA, 2010).
18 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
REMEDIATION EFFORTS
The types of synthetic materials used by response teams to clean up or disperse oil can influence the magnitude of harmful effects felt by wildlife (NRC, 2005). The use of dispersants can lessen wildlife exposure by reducing residence time of oil in the environment via accelerated biodegradation by bacteria. However, before completely degraded, dispersed particles are transported throughout the water column where the oil may cause harmful effects through broader and more diffuse contact with species. For vulnerable species such as seagrasses, corals, plankton, shrimp, crabs, and small fish, acute effects have the potential to be lethal, particularly during the spring spawning season (Fisher et al., 1993; Gulec et al., 1997; Rhoton et al., 1998; Barron et al., 2003; Bhattacharyya et al., 2003; Ramachandran et al., 2004; Couillard et al., 2005; Chapman et al., 2007; Ibemesim et al, 2008; Anderson et al., 2009). Dispersants are also used to dissipate an oil slick before it reaches shorelines, minimizing impacts to critical habitats and species by reducing concentration and exposure time (NRC, 2005).
and 29 marine mammals (Shirley et al., 2010). To date, hundreds of resident oiled birds, turtles, and marine mammals have been collected (Unified Area Command, 2010; Appendix F). Indirect impacts are currently unknown, and likely to be widespread.
The vulnerability of various species of wildlife to an off-shore oil spill changes with time as the spill increases (Krebs & Burns, 1977; Gilfillan & Vandermeulen, 1978; Sanders et al, 1980; Teal & Howarth, 1984; Peterson et al. 2003). Species that spend time at the surface of the water will be impacted most during the early stages of the spill. Once the oil begins to wash ashore, species that utilize the shoreline are affected with increasing regularity. Finally, influence on species inhabiting the pelagic and benthic zones begins once the oil particles leave the surface and become mixed throughout the water column (Teal & Howarth, 1984; Ober, 2010). Further 20 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
downstream, contaminants ingested by these benthic species can work their way through the food chain to affect top predators such as mammals and seabirds. Plants are affected by direct oil exposure to leaves or roots, but may also be indirectly affected if numbers or behaviors of herbivores or seed or pollen dispersal agents are themselves affected by oil. Marine and marsh plants are also susceptible to smothering by oil (USFWS, 2010). This could lead to critical habitat loss for sensitive species and increased coastal erosion. As oil weathers, it breaks down into less harmful components via microbial action, but it also becomes increasingly sticky, resulting in a higher risk of acute mortality. Juvenile and larval stages are often more susceptible to acute toxicity. A particular concern is that the release of oil from the Deepwater Horizon rig coincided with spawning season for many fish and invertebrates in the Gulf of Mexico, including bluefin tuna, snapper, grouper, spiny lobsters, blue crabs, and brown and white shrimp. Oil suspended in the ocean forms massive plumes in the water. As the eggs and juveniles of these and other species drift in plankton communities, they are at a very high risk of direct oil exposure resulting in increased mortality. While the effects of oil on marine and coastal ecosystems are relatively well documented, the literature offers conflicting effects of dispersants. Given the fact that 43,900 gallons of dispersant were used to break up the oil as it gushed from the broken wellhead (NOAA, 2010), the physiological and ecological consequences of dispersant are of key importance when considering the effects of the spill on the Gulf. This is a major area of research need that will help to guide responses if and when the next major oil spill occurs. In addition to short-term impacts, there is robust evidence that ecosystems continue to suffer long-term population and community level impacts for decades after oil spills. For example, decreases in diversity, density, and species numbers, and higher stressed populations, have been noted following the Arrow, Amoco Cadiz, and Exxon Valdez oil spills in Canada, France, and the Unites States respectively (Krebs & Burns, 1977; Gilfillan & Vandermeulen, 1978; Sanders et al., 1980; Teal & Howarth, 1984; Peterson et al., 2003). Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, oil can potentially continue to disrupt communities through incorporation in habitats, and food chains (Teal & Howarth, 1984; NRC, 2003; USFW, 2010). In the Gulf of Mexico, oil carbon from the Deepwater Spill has already been shown to be incorporated into the plankton food web (Graham et al., 2010). In the future, OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 21 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
chronic effects may begin to be seen across all groups of marine life (USFW, 2010). Oil exposure has the potential to inflict a myriad of external and internal damage. While damage may not be fatal to adults, younger life stages are often more susceptible to toxic effects. Animals can suffer from physiological stress of oil (i.e. immune response), as well as stress relating to oil avoidance and removal (i.e. excessive preening in birds). Long-term chronic effects often cause not only decreased survival but also lowered reproductive success (fecundity). Oil contamination that does not result in immediate death may be passed along to offspring, resulting in defects of future generations or increased juvenile mortality through various mechanisms. Therefore, oil spill effects may not be seen for several years past the immediate mortality seen from acute exposure. In this way, chronic exposure to oil can slowly poison communities directly through persistence of hydrocarbons in the environment, or via ingestion of contaminated prey and accumulative poisoning. Compounding reductions of prey species populations, which higher trophic organisms rely on, may further decrease community resilience (Teal & Howarth, 1984; Peterson et al., 2003; NRC, 2003; USFWS, 2010).
Mammals
West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates) Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis) Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) Florida salt marsh vole
Alabama
Florida
State Louisiana
Mississippi
Texas
22 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
(Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli) Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis) St. Andrew beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis) Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola) Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) Rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) Florida panther* (Puma concolor coryi) Louisiana black bear* (Ursus americanus luteolus) Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Birds
Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) Wood stork (Mycteria americana) Whooping crane (Grus americana) Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) Everglades snail kite* (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) Cape Sable seaside sparrow* (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis) Mississippi sandhill crane* (Grus canadensis pulla) Interior least tern* (Sterna antillarum athalassos)
Alabama
Florida
Mississippi
Texas
State Louisiana
Reptiles
Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Kemps Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
Alabama
Florida
Mississippi
Texas
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 23 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) Alabama red belly turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) Ringed map turtle* (Graptemys oculifera) Yellow blotched map turtle* (Graptemys flavimaculata)
Fishes
Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)
Alabama
Florida
Mississippi Mississippi
Texas Texas
Snails Alabama
Stock Island tree snail* (Orthalicus reses)
Florida
Insects Alabama
Schaus swallowtail butterfly* (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus)
Florida
State Louisiana
Mississippi
Texas
Plants Alabama
Beach jacquemontia (Jacquemontia reclinata) Florida perforate cladonia (Cladonia perforata) Garbers spurge (Chamaesyce garberi) Key tree cactus* (Pilosocereus robinii) Beautiful pawpaw* (Deeringothamnus pulchellus)
Florida
State Louisiana
Mississippi
Texas
Bold font denotes endangered species. Other species are listed as threatened *Denotes species where impacts may occur in extreme conditions such as Hurricane force winds
research efforts that we could identify (Table 5). In other words, we found evidence that only one in five species determined to be at risk by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is currently being studied by independent researchers. Additionally, two or fewer studies are dedicated to each species, mostly as part of a larger impact assessment, or to determine a baseline (Appendix H). For a complete listing of all research activities that we were able to determine see Appendix I. As discussed below, it is important to note that there may be additional research in progress or due to begin shortly that we were not able to include in this study because it is not posted in a visible and public venue.
Table 5. Federally Listed Wildlife and Plants Represented in Research Activities Represented in Research Mammals Yes No West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates) Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis) Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) Florida salt marsh vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli) Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis) St. Andrew beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis) Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola) Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) Rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) Florida panther* (Puma concolor coryi) Louisiana black bear* (Ursus americanus luteolus) Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) Represented in Research Birds Yes No Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) Wood stork (Mycteria americana) Whooping crane (Grus americana) Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) Everglades snail kite* (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 25 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Cape Sable seaside sparrow* (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis) Mississippi sandhill crane* (Grus canadensis pulla) Interior least tern* (Sterna antillarum athalassos)
Reptiles
Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Kemps Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) Alabama red belly turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) Ringed map turtle* (Graptemys oculifera) Yellow blotched map turtle* (Graptemys flavimaculata)
Represented in Research Fishes Yes No Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) Represented in Research Snails Yes No Stock Island tree snail* (Orthalicus reses) Represented in Research Insects Yes No Schaus swallowtail butterfly* (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus) Represented in Research Plants Yes No Beach jacquemontia (Jacquemontia reclinata) Florida perforate cladonia (Cladonia perforata) Garbers spurge (Chamaesyce garberi) Key tree cactus* (Pilosocereus robinii) Beautiful pawpaw* (Deeringothamnus pulchellus) Bold font denotes endangered species. Other species are listed as threatened *Denotes species where impacts may occur in extreme conditions such as Hurricane force winds For a complete listing of research activities see appendix x
protected species (Avent & Rogers, 1994). The Gulf is also an important spawning ground for many species of fish, crustaceans, and other economically important wildlife.
Figure 5. Gulf of Mexico Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) Source: NOAA
Gulf coastal habitats are furthermore essential to the annual cycles of many species of breeding, wintering and migrating waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds and songbirds. The U.S. Gulf Coast is of particular significance to beach-nesting birds, species that breed on beaches, flats, dunes, bars, barrier islands and similar nearshore habitats (Figure 6), many of which were oiled (Figure 7). For example Brenton National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the most heavily oiled sites, is home to the brown pelican, least turn and piping plover. The northern Gulf Coast, supports a disproportionately high number of beach-nesting bird species (USFWS, 2010).
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 27 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=212777347110565686547.000486d0b 5567ae65b7e1&t=h&ll=27.332735,-89.25293&spn=11.618991,22.148438&z=6
28 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Coastal and nearshore habitats will likely experience the greatest documented impacts from the oil spill. The direct effects of oil in environments are likely to be compounded by some combination of the following factors: 1) the already degraded state of the environment prior to the spill may result in less resiliency; 2) the diverse spectrum of species reliant on affected coastal and nearshore habitats at some point in their life cycle provides more opportunity for adverse effects. Also, the easier access to coastal and nearshore areas is likely to result in a larger number of studies conducted in these areas, a higher number of documented effects and thus a deeper understanding in the environment. Although coastal areas are vital for various species and protection of human life and property ashore, the Gulf of Mexico has been experiencing very high rates of erosion over the last 50 years. The effect of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on coastal erosion will be determined by the exposure and duration to habitats. High levels of oil resting on vegetated coastal shorelines could cause the vegetation to become stressed and die; this could cause the roots to die, weakening marsh soils. Weakened marsh soils would then be at risk of accelerated erosion from waves and storms. It has been estimated that a twenty percent additional loss could be experienced due to oil landfall from the Deepwater Horizon Incident (Michael Blum, pers comm.). The loss from oiling is expected to be a maximum of 14 km2, a significant amount when compared to yearly wetland losses of 21 70km2/yr (Coleman et al. 2008; Alex Kolker, per. Comm.).
SENSITIVE SPECIES
Many species rely on coastal environments at some point in their life cycle, and many of these environments are at risk from the spill. Mechanisms dictating impacts are discussed above. The following species were identified as particularly sensitive to the oil spill in the Gulf (Table 6). Sensitive species are emphasized to provide Gulf Restoration Network with a focal group of species, most likely to be at risk. Sensitive species were identified based on range of criteria such as threatened or endangered status, vulnerability, population size and trends, habitat extent, habitat degradation, baseline knowledge, and lessons learned from previous spills. Additionally, selected species were analyzed as case studies to further elucidate impacts, threats, gaps and needs.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 29 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Table 6. Coastal and Nearshore Sensitive Species Adapted from IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2010) and NOAA Office of Protected Resources (2010)
Species Name
IUCN Status
West Indian Trichechus Manatee manatus Loggerhead Caretta sea turtle caretta Green sea turtle Kemps ridley sea turtle Hawksbill sea turtle Smalltooth sawfish Gulf sturgeon
Vulnerable
Chelonia mydas Lepidochely Endangered s kempii Eretmochel Endangered ys imbricata Pristis Endangered pectinata Threatened
Endangered
Declining
No
Declining Increasing
Yes No
Appendix K
Declining Declining
Yes Yes
Appendix L Appendix M
Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Elkhorn Acropora coral palmata Staghorn Acropora coral cervicornis Wood stork Mycteria americana Brown Pelecanus pelican occidentalis Piping plover Whooping crane Nassau grouper Charadrius melodus Grus americana Epinephelus striatus
Increasing
Yes
Appendix N
Critically Stable endangered Critically Stable endangered Least concern Insufficient Data Least concern Increasing
Yes Yes No No
Appendix 0 Appendix O
Yes Yes No
Appendix P Appendix Q
30 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Species of concern Species of concern Proposed endangered Saltmarsh Fundulus Species of topminnow jenkinsi concern Opossum Microphis Species of pipefish brachyurus concern lineatus
Declining Declining
No No
No No
Turtle Species Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys
Dead 29 0 481
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 31 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
kempii) Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) 21 Unknown turtle species 0 TOTAL 537
67 32 609
88 32 1146
See appendix R for information on amount of direct oiling. Note all data is preliminary
Nesting season for sea turtles begins in the spring, coinciding with the oil spill, which means that eggs and hatchlings may experience high risk of exposure to oil spills if coastal habitats become contaminated. To minimize oil exposure to turtle hatchlings, eggs were translocated from the Gulf of Mexico to the East Coast of Florida through August 9th, 2010 (Table 8).
Table 8. Number of Turtle Nests Relocated and Hatchlings Released Through February 15th 2011 Source: NOAA
Species
Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) Kemp's ridley turtle 4 (Lepidochelys kempii) Loggerhead turtle 271 (Caretta caretta)
Note all data is preliminary
Research, Gaps and Needs: Two research activities investigating the sea turtles response to the oil spill have been identified (Table 9). The first is solely restoration of oiled turtles, which, while necessary, provides little predictive and long-term results. In the latter, sea turtles are a small component of a much larger oil spill impact study which began June 23rd, 2010. No information was available on expected duration or anticipated end date. However, in large-scale assessments, the long timeline required often presents a significant barrier to quickly implementing results. Additionally, both studies focus on a narrow spatial scope of work, Louisiana and Florida respectively, and may not represent the full extent of impacts. To establish the full extent of impact, calculating accurate mortality is also of great importance, since the turtles washed ashore are likely to represent a fraction of total dead. Another recognized area of concern is sea turtle mortality and population collapse. Since 1998, sea turtle populations have been experiencing collapse, though little is known about the underlying causes due to a lack of robust monitoring and data (Bjorndal et al., 2011). More research is needed addressing not 32 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
only immediate impacts, but more importantly, hatchling survivorship and success. Without a scientifically based recovery plan, populations, which were already declining, may have difficulty recovering (Bjorndal et al., 2011).
Table 9. Research activities pertaining to sensitive turtles by activity Through March 28th 2011 Species Classification Research Work Title of Activity Impacted of Activity Location Location Abstract Oiled sea turtle Loggerhead Restoration Coastal and Louisiana Intermittent personnel support (veterinarians, veterinary technicians) to on rehabilitation turtle nearshore site sea turtle rehabilitation facilities habitats Kemps engaged in cleaning and treating oiled sea turtles. Assisting with collection of forensic Ridley turtle samples and clinically applied data. Green turtle Hawksbill turtle Researchers from the College of Marine University of Loggerhead Research, Coastal and Florida Science/USF, the Florida Department of Southern turtle Monitoring nearshore state Environmental Protection, and the Florida Florida: habitats, waters Kemps Fish and Wildlife Research Institute will Deepwater Offshore assess the impact of oil on Florida marine Ridley turtle ecosystems by comparing non-impacted Horizon Oil Spill Green turtle habitats west Florida shelf and impacted north Impact and Florida shelf sites. A suite of optical and Hawksbill Ecosystem acoustic sensors will be used to detect turtle Assessment subsurface oil. Surface tar balls and Leatherback hydrocarbon concentrations in the water column and sediments will be investigated turtle
in relation to the abundance, distribution, species composition, and condition of benthic, microbial, phytoplankton, and zooplankton communities. Marine mammals and turtles also will be surveyed. In addition, drifters will be released to document currents and water column hydrocarbon measurements will help validate OCG model subsurface oil trajectory projections.
of current wildlife mortality. To date, 4,342 individual birds have been found oiled, 3,827 have been found dead without any visible signs of oiling (Figure 8, Table 10, Appendix F). The vast majority of these birds have been recovered in Louisiana. Similarly to sea turtles and marine mammals, true mortality may be significantly higher due to difficulty discerning the number of bird carcasses never recovered.
Table 10. Collection Report: Birds Through January 25th 2011 Source: USFWS
State
Alive
Dead
Total
Visibly No Pending Visibly No Pending Visibly No Pending Oiled visible Oiled visible Oiled visible Oil Oil Oil
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 13 0 0 14
1 0 0 13 0 0 14
34 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Figure 8. Dead Bird Recovery Locations Through December 14th 2010 Source: USFWS
Research, Gaps and Needs: Two research activities concerning sensitive coastal bird species, both funded by the NSF RAPID process, were identified (Table 11). Baseline Assessment of bird populations in Mississippi coastal marshes is an assessment effort aiming to set a benchmark for Mississippi coastal bird density and diversity. While independent verification is valuable in ensuring proper allocation of NRDA funds, the projects usefulness is limited by its restricted research location. The second activity Impacts on migratory shorebirds and carry-over effects, is representative of a robust population study aiming to assess and model chronic impacts. Additional projects on brown pelicans, terns and skimmers are also likely to proceed this summer. By far the most intensive study of the effects of the spill on birds is the NRDA process for waterbirds, headed by Biodiversity Research Institute. This group has focused on egrets, brown pelicans, and skimmers and had a relatively large research team on the ground by June 2010. They have collected blood and tissue samples for contaminant analysis and have placed satellite PTT tracking units on brown pelicans to assess movement and mortality. Unfortunately, OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 35 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
the results of this work are likely to remain confidential for many years due to confidentiality clauses associated with the NRDA process.
Table 11. Research activities pertaining to sensitive birds by activity Through March 28th 2011 Sensitive Title of Species Classification Research Activity Impacted of Activity Location Duration Abstract Baseline Research, Piping Coastal Unknown Secretive marsh birds and marsh passerines were surveyed along pre-determined routes within the Grand Bay National Assessment plover Monitoring and Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR) and Pascagoula of bird Cape nearshore River marshes in Jackson County, Mississippi. During 13 populations Sable minute point counts, call-playback surveys were utilized to habitats illicit responses from territorial, breeding birds. All in seaside individuals and distances were counted and recorded. Mississippi sparrow Shorebirds were surveyed at the Grand Battures (GBNERR). coastal All birds were identified to species and counted. marshes The aim of this project is to assess both the direct impacts of Deepwater Piping Research Coastal 1 year the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on migrating shorebirds as Horizon oil plover and well as the carry-over effects of the spill on distant spill: nearshore ecosystems where these birds breed during summer months. Impacts on Carry-over effects on breeding success resulting from the habitats degradation of winter habitat have been documented in migratory several avian species and are important not only to shorebird shorebirds populations but also to the entire ecosystems in which the and carryshorebirds breed. The investigators will compare oilover effects exposed versus unaffected control sites with respect to the
toxicological status of individual birds, contamination levels in the environment, food availability, survival, correlates of subsequent breeding success, and other indicators of fitness for four small wintering shorebirds. The outcome will be to determine how individual toxicological status and environmental status contribute to variation in measures of fitness and correlates of breeding success. This work will provide a foundation for the development of population models and further studies aimed at documenting the effects of the oil spill on the distant, Arctic ecosystems where these birds breed. This work will highlight the importance of Gulf of Mexico habitats as wintering grounds for migrating shorebirds, providing baseline information for the conservation of threatened coastal habitats and bird species and demonstrating the multiple ways in which a major environment disaster can affect ecosystems on a global scale. Part of this project will be to develop a novel assay for measuring oil ingestion using fecal samples of birds.
Lessons Learned: Currently there are insufficient research and data to fully assess impacts to sensitive bird species. However, we can expect to see chronic impacts playing a role in the regions recovery (Krebs & Burns, 1977; Gilfillan & Vandermeulen, 1978; Sanders et al, 1980; Teal & Howarth, 1984; Peterson et al. 2003; Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, 2010). The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a demonstrative example of a sensitive species that is susceptible to trophic effects (i.e. food web). The accumulation of pesticides such as DDT and endrin in fish consumed by brown pelicans led to decreased reproductive success in the pelican population along the Gulf. DDT reduced shell thickness of eggs, which 36 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
resulted in loss of eggs during incubation by adults (King et al., 1977). Pesticides also affected egg hatching, post-hatching survival, and behavior of the young (Blus, 1982). Due to these effects on reproductive success, brown pelicans were completely extirpated from Louisiana by 1963 (King et al., 1977). From 1968 to 1980, the LDWF and Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission introduced over 1200 brown pelicans to Louisiana from Florida populations (McNease et al., 1984). Due to the success of the recovery efforts, brown pelicans were removed from the Endangered Species Act in 2009 (FWS, 2009). In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill affected the populations along the Gulf through direct oiling, as well as indirect effects, such as potential consumption of fish that may have been contaminated by oil and dispersant. Close monitoring of the population is necessary to determine both the short- and long-term effects of the oil spill and the future of this species in the Gulf. As of December 14th 2010, 377 individuals have been visibly oiled, and 556 have been found dead (FWS 2010; Appendix S). Fortunately, brown pelicans are one of the few species with baseline behavioral data available from before the oil spill through research efforts at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in collaboration with the LDWF. These data will prove crucial in studying the effects of the spill on the population biology of brown pelicans along the Gulf in terms of breeding biology and dispersal.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 37 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
FINFISH FISHERIES
Fish can be impacted directly through uptake by the gills, ingestion of oil or oiled prey, effects on eggs and larval survival, or changes in the ecosystem that support them. Adult fish may experience reduced growth, enlarged livers, changes in heart and respiration rates, fin erosion, and reproductive impairment when exposed to oil. Oil has the potential to impact spawning success as eggs and larvae of many fish species are highly sensitive to oil toxins (FWS, 2010). There is a wide variety of commercial and recreational fish species in the Gulf of Mexico (Table 12; Table 13). Ninety-seven percent (by weight) of the commercial fish and shellfish landings from the Gulf of Mexico are species that depend on estuaries and their wetlands; additionally, many fish species rely on coastal and nearshore habitats as nurseries. In federal waters, the surface-oriented species will be most impacted by the early stages of the oil spill. As the crude oil sinks, the 38 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
bottom-oriented fish community may be impacted to a greater extent. The major impacts will be on nearshore species or species that are exposed to oil while spawning.
Table 12. Common Fishery Species Source: NOAA Common fishery species near shore (State Waters) Sharks Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas Blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus Spinner shark Carcharhinus brevipinna Silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis Atlantic sharpnose Rhizoprionodon shark terraenovae Finfish Red snapper Lutjanus campechanu Mullet Mugilidae spp. Lane snapper Lutjanus synagris Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus Vermillion snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens King and Spanish Scomberomorus mackerel spp. Gag grouper Mycteroperca microlepis Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus Cobia Rachycentron canadum Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili
Table 13. Common Fishery Species Source: NOAA Common fishery species offshore (Federal Waters) Sharks (Surface-Oriented) Whale sharks Rhincodon typus Hammerhead sharks Sphyrna spp. Tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier Silky sharks Carcharhinus falciformis Mako sharks Isurus spp. Rays (Surface-Oriented) Manta rays Manta birostris Eagle rays Aetobatus narinari Cownose rays Rhinoptera bonasus Finfish (Surface-Oriented) Bluefin tunas Thunnus thynnus Billfish Various spp Molas Mola spp. Finfish (Bottom-Oriented) Gray Triggerfish and Balistes spp. Jack Greater and Lesser Seriola spp. Amberjack Groupers Serranidae spp. Rock Hind Yellowfin Scamp Red Hind Goliath Nassau Red Gag Yellowedge Snowy Snappers Lutjanidae spp. Mutton Blackfin Red
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 39 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Tilefish
Gray Lane Silk Yellowtail Vermillion Malacanthidae spp. Blackline Anchor Blueline Golden Goldface
Mortality of larvae caused by the oil spill will result in declines in recruitment in future age classes. This may cause a collapse or reconfiguration of species, as well as short- and potentially long-term economic impacts on commercial and recreational fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. Postlarvae and juvenile menhaden and mullets may be affected by the oil spill, and depending on current Loop Current dynamics Atlantic bluefin tuna may as well. Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae may also be present in the region of the oil slick (Figure 10) however their presence is quite dependent on and related to the Loop Current eddies and fronts. Another consideration is the number and extent that Sargassum mats, which are a nursery habitat for gray triggerfish and the amberjacks, may intersect with the oil (NOAA, 2010).
40 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Figure 10. Bluefin Tuna Essential Fish Habitat and the Gulf Oil Spill Source: FWS
SHRIMP
The economic impact of the oil spill on shrimp could be extensive. The Gulf region landings of shrimp are the nations largest with 188.3 million pounds or seventythree percent of the national total (Fisheries of the US, 2008). Louisiana led all Gulf states in landings with eighty-nine million pounds with a dockside value of $130.6 million in 2008, followed by Texas (63.8 million pounds, dockside value of $157.2 million), Alabama (17.0 million pounds, dockside value of $38.4 million), Floridas west coast (9.9 million pounds, dockside value of $23.3 million), and Mississippi (8.6 million pounds, dockside value of $17.1 million) (NOAA, 2010). Shrimp species will be impacted due to mortality of adults and postlarvae. During the spring, young shrimp, or postlarvae, migrate from coastal areas contaminated with oil. In particular brown shrimp postlarvae, which migrate out of inshore waters from February to April, while white shrimp will begin migration in May and continue through November, will be affected. The spill could have impacts not only on shrimp catches this year, but also next year if postlarvae mortality is high.
BLUE CRAB
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 41 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
The most economically valuable crab species in the region occurs almost exclusively in state waters with peak spawning occurring between August and September. Eggs and larvae develop and settle in estuaries until crabs reach harvestable size from April to May. Louisiana lands approximately twenty-six percent of the total blue crabs in the nation, or 41.6 million pounds in 2008, with a dockside value of $32 million. Landings and dockside values for other Gulf states were: West Florida, 2.7 million pounds, $3.3 million, Texas, 2.6 million pounds, $2.3 million, Alabama, 1.8 million pounds, $1.5 million, Mississippi, 450,000 pounds, $447,000 (NOAA, 2010). Chronic poisoning will proportionally increase as visible oil is removed, disperses or disintegrates via microbial action. These tiny oil droplets, some with dispersant attached, may be consumed by prey species, thus indirectly harming predatory birds and marine wildlife. For example orange droplets appearing to be related to the oil spill have been found in blue crab larvae (Dr. Caroline Taylor, pers. comm.). While preliminary findings suggest that dispersants used during the Deepwater Horizon incident are not likely to have a great effect on the Gulf of Mexico blue crab fisheries due to the low concentrations found (Anderson, unpublished data), there is some concern over trophic interactions to consumer species resulting from contaminated prey. Although final analysis is pending, research suggests that oil has easily entered the food chain. Therefore while some species are not sensitive per se (crabs, shrimp, plankton), their numbers and levels of contamination should be closely monitored to better predict outcomes for species most at risk. For instance, blue crabs are a preferred food of the endangered Atlantic Ridley sea turtle. Only long-term monitoring studies will be able to assess chronic toxic effects on organisms.
OFFSHORE HABITATS
SENSITIVE SPECIES
While an integral habitat to many marine animals, analysis into offshore environments was limited by an overall lack of baseline data and oil spill related research. Wildlife inhabiting offshore waters often has extensive ranges and difficult to access habitats, resulting in relatively few comprehensive studies. For species such as marine mammals and deep-sea fish, population size is generally
42 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
extrapolated from sightings and reported catch respectively, resulting in a higher range of uncertainty.
Table 14. Offshore Sensitive Species Adapted from IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2010) and NOAA Office of Protected Resources (2010)
Species Name
Federal IUCN Status Population Status Trend Sperm Physeter Endangered Vulnerable Likely whale macrocephalus Increasing Leatherback Dermochelys Endangered Critically Declining sea turtle coriacea endangered Bluefin tuna Thunnus Candidate Critically Declining thynnus for ESA Endangered listing Dusky shark Carcharhinus Species of Vulnerable Declining obscurus concern Night shark Carcharhinus Species of Vulnerable Declining signatus concern Warsaw Epinephelus Species of Critically Insufficient grouper nigritus concern endangered Data Speckled hind Epinephelus dr Species of ummondhayi concern Critically Likely endangered decreasing
No No No Appendix W
No
State
Alive
Dead
Total
Visibly No Pending Visibly No Pending Visibly No Pending Oiled visible Oiled visible Oiled visible
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 43 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Oil
Oil
Oil
0 1 1 0 0 0 2
1 3 2 0 0 1 7
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 3 1 0 0 4
8 3 58 26 0 1 96
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 4 1 0 0 6
9 6 60 26 0 2 103
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Research, Gaps and Needs: Two research activities unique to marine mammals have been identified (Modeling of Short-Term and Long-Term Marine Mammal Trends & Impacts of the 2010 Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill on Estuarine Bottlenose Dolphin Populations). While weaknesses previously discussed, including unknown timeline and confined geographic scope, of the project titled Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Impact and Ecosystem Assessment are especially pertinent to marine mammals. Additionally, this project is mainly designed to retroactively determine impacts. Conversely, the other two studies identified (Modeling of Short-Term and Long-Term Marine Mammal Trends & Impacts of the 2010 Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill on Estuarine Bottlenose Dolphin Populations) aim to not only establish baseline, but also to provide predictive modeling that can assist in future disaster response. As seen below, the dolphin study is geographically limited to the West Florida panhandle. The most exciting of the research proposals is the first listed (Table 16), determining whale population trends based on passive acoustic cues. Traditionally, whales are underrepresented in the research owing to the physical challenges presented by their extensive ranges, their highly migratory behavior and the difficulty to access offshore habitats. Methods developed in this study are expected to assist future researchers by increasing the ease and accuracy of measuring whale populations, including allowing for population estimates not inferred solely on sightings. The results of this study will use novel data and methods to achieve the vital goals of comparing traditional baseline values to those achieved by the newly established data, assessing the impacts from this oil spill, and making long-term predictions.
Table 16. Research Activities Pertaining to Marine Mammals
44 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Title of Activity Modeling of ShortTerm and Long-Term Marine Mammal Population Trends in the Vicinity of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Using Passive Acoustic Monitoring Cues
Work Duration Abstract Location This is a RAPID proposal to assess the immediate Offshore 1 year impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on near-by habitats
Impacts of Bottlenose the 2010 dolphin Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill on Estuarine Bottlenose Dolphin population s in the West Florida Panhandle
Monitoring, Research
1 year
resident populations of endangered whale species and prediction of the long-term effects of the disaster on their population dynamics using statistical and mathematical modeling. This project is one of a kind to assess the adverse impact of the BP oil-spill on the marine ecosystem in general, and marine mammal populations of specific species in particular, in and around the oil-impacted area of the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, the newly collected data will be unique as we will be able to compare them to the previous data, which will provide base-line estimates of the marine mammal population density. Successful project implementation will provide not only environmental impact assessment of a large-scale oil spill on several species of marine mammals, but also the foundation for development of a new systematic methodology of population estimation and dynamics based on acoustic cues; this is in contrast with the traditional methodology which is based on visual observations. The collected data, which will be useful for ecologists in the future, and the theoretical research associated with the project, will shed light on the debate concerning how the Gulf of Mexico has been affected by the oil-spill. The proposed research, with a strong theoretical component, will complement other existing and ongoing research on the BP oil-spill. This project will assess population size and genetic discreteness of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) communities in the oil-impacted western Florida panhandle, collect critical baseline information to ultimately determine pre-spill feeding habits of bottlenose dolphins in those areas and ultimately to examine the relationship between feeding habits and the potential impacts of oil/dispersants. As apex predators, bottlenose dolphins serve as key sentinel species for monitoring ocean and human health. Their roles in oceanic and coastal ecosystems emphasize their relevance for monitoring the potential impacts of oil and oil dispersants on these fragile systems over both the short term and long term. We propose to initiate a comprehensive assessment of the current status of bottlenose dolphin communities in Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound and Choctawhatchee Bay and to begin to assess the immediate impact of oil and dispersants on their distribution, habitat use, and feeding habits. Ultimately these baseline data and samples will be critical in the long-term assessment of their health and survival. Specifically we will conduct photographic identification (photo-ID) determinations of population size and distribution as well as direct assessments of genetic relatedness and feeding ecology. In addition, putative prey species will be collected from these same bay systems. Skin/blubber samples collected using biopsy sampling of free-swimming dolphins will allow us to combine standard toxicological and enzyme marker assays of blubber, with genetic analysis, stable isotope analysis of skin (to assess feeding ecology and habitat utilization), and fatty acid signature analysis of blubber (feeding ecology) to
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 45 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
USF: Marine Deepwater mammals Horizon Oil Spill Impact and Ecosystem Assessment
Research, Monitoring
Unkown
better understand oil exposure both from direct contact as well as through their food chain. We are also uniquely positioned to respond to both live and dead stranded cetaceans through our involvement with the local marine mammal stranding program. This latter access will allow for full biological sampling and assessment of cause of death or health problems. Pre- and post-spill knowledge of the spatial and temporal scales of the movements of these animals, population structure, specific habitat utilization and feeding preferences is critical to the eventual interpretation of toxicological and medical data. Data from these multiple approaches will enable resource managers to develop predictive models that evaluate response strategies and to integrate the impacts of stressors at all levels of the ecosystem. Researchers from the College of Marine Science/USF, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute will assess the impact of oil on Florida marine ecosystems by comparing non-impacted west Florida shelf and impacted north Florida shelf sites. A suite of optical and acoustic sensors will be used to detect subsurface oil. Surface tar balls and hydrocarbon concentrations in the water column and sediments will be investigated in relation to the abundance, distribution, species composition, and condition of benthic, microbial, phytoplankton, and zooplankton communities. Marine mammals and turtles also will be surveyed. In addition, drifters will be released to document currents and water column hydrocarbon measurements will help validate OCG model subsurface oil trajectory projections.
SUMMARY
In summary, oil is affecting the species of the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf Coast but the true impact of the spill will not be known for several years. Acute effects from smothering have been documented across species groups and in coastal wetlands. Indirect and chronic effects, such as changes in community dynamics and sub-lethal toxicity, will likely impact higher trophic organisms such as predatory fish, birds, sea turtles and marine mammals. To establish the full extent of impact, studies are needed to determine true mortality across species groups, since a fraction of dead individuals will never be recovered. Based on the research analyzed the greatest impact due to oil will be observed on species reliant on coastal and nearshore environments due to one or more of the following; The already degraded state of the environment will result in diminished resiliency. If near the critical threshold, oil contamination may surpass the tipping point for coastal environments, creating major restoration issues. 46 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
While complete devastation is unlikely in the short term, continued wetland loss exacerbated by oil smothering is cause for concern. Numerous species reliant on coastal and nearshore habitats will result in broader impacts among distinctive species groups. Beyond resident species, a large diversity of species relies on coastal areas at various stages in their life cycles including migrating birds and juvenile fishes. What is especially concerning is that many species, which utilize coastal areas, do so during critical stages of development, when toxic effects of oil are most pronounced. Coastal and nearshore areas are more accessible, resulting in a larger number of studies conducted in coastal and thus, a deeper understanding in the environment. In other words greater impacts will be found because more researchers are looking for them. Comparatively, oil exploration technology has outpaced our knowledge base in deep water environments, preventing accurate assessments and predictions.
Of the studies on sensitive species, more proposals should outline long term and indirect effect of oil, in order to more fully assess the ramifications of the spill. Of greatest concern are endangered sea turtles, some of which are critically threatened. Well-designed research activities will help predict long term population trends, and provide guidance in the event of a future spill.
Embargo on the publication of corporate funded research. OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 47 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
RECOMMENDATIONS
GAPS IN THE RESEARCH
The following areas in the research were underrepresented, and should be addressed: Long-term studies on sensitive species o Research into sensitive species, especially those whose populations continue to decline (such as sea turtles), since more rigorous long term studies may elucidate reasons for declining populations not apparent from monitoring efforts that rely on correlative parameters. Predictive modeling o Projects making model-based predictions need to have a follow-up component to allow better use of models, understanding of the ecosystem and population dynamics. Also, fine-tuned models can help the policy makers by working as a paradigm in the future for similar manmade or natural disasters. Impacts on different life stages & community dynamics and shifts o With many species impacted at critical life stages of development, long term impacts and the potential for reconfiguration of community structure (i.e. fisheries) are unclear. Community dynamics and shifts Deep water environments o There is an overall lack in knowledge of deep-water environments, and how they respond to oil. There is a need to strengthen and address deep-water risks. The toxic effects of oil and/or dispersants o Conflicting results reported on the toxic effects of oil and/or dispersants on wildlife. Studies designed to mimic exposure in situ would provide the most relevant findings. Alternative remediation strategies
48 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
o The development of alternative remediation strategies and studies researching their effectiveness would allow for rapid, efficient remediation in the future.
FUNDING SOURCES
In addition to numerous research gaps mentioned above, numerous funding limitations were encountered. To ensure immediate research needs as met, BP should release research funds in a timely manner. For longstanding projects, the availability of long-term funding hinders studies as most projects can be implemented for only 1-2 years. We propose the establishment of a Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring (GEM) fund, as a long-term (15 20 year) fund financed by BP fines. This would provide a revenue stream in perpetuity for oil spill restoration activities and research that the state and federal government is unable to provide. To guarantee the best remediation technologies are available in the event of another spill, we recommend the establishment of an oil spill research center in the Gulf, funded in part by DOI, and managed by the Gulf universities or as a consortium. The remaining capital could possibly be raised through a tax on Gulf oil similar to the tax levied by the Oil Protection Act (1990).
DATA LIMITATIONS
Most data being collected is done so under the direction of the NRDA process, and thus subject to legal restrictions on sharing data on an ongoing liability suit. More direct assessment of the quality of NRDA research by a panel of scientific experts is recommended to independently assess methodology and practices without compromising legal barriers. For independent data and research not regulated under NRDA, increased data sharing via a central data repository would foster transparency and dialogue among Gulf researchers. Universities participating in the data sharing agreement would gain access to a central data repository, thereby fostering transparency and dialog among Gulf researchers. Funding by BP and federal agencies could be contingent on inclusion in aforementioned Gulf research database. A comprehensive list of relevant research within academia would allow greater flow of ideas and interdisciplinary cooperation.
FUTURE DIRECTION
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Due to limited funding the scope of this assessment was focused towards near-shore impacts. This assessment was further limited as many research activities are in preliminary stages and have not published results at this time. In the future, work completed to date could be leveraged to acquire grant funding for continued collaboration with the GRN. Furtherance of the analysis and intermitted updates to research activities would be extremely helpful. This would be especially informative in 12-18 months, as identified research activities will be completed, allowing for integration of the first round of research findings, and a subsequent round of federal funding to finance successive activities. Species could be assessed more in depth and gaps in offshore environments could be further clarified. For future collaboration, the development of a publically accessible research activity repository will disseminate important research findings and facilitate partnerships to leverage available funding and resources. This research inventory could be linked to the a public website, and updated periodically to ensure the most accurate, up to date information.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analyses indicate that the effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill are likely to be complex and difficult to rigorously identify. Although the immediate impact of the spill in terms of mortality via direct contact or ingestion with oil was substantial, the chronic, sub-lethal effects of the spill are likely to have a much greater impact in the long run. Unfortunately, these sub-lethal effects are much more difficult to quantify because they are by definition more subtle. Compounding the challenges associated with documenting long term effects of the spill, there are very few prespill data sets that might provide a baseline against which to compare post-spill parameters such as physiological condition, breeding performance, movement, survival, etc. One important exception to this is economically important species such as fish or crabs for which annual take data are available. Thus, a major challenge facing spill-related research in upcoming years is to distinguish the effects of the spill per se versus normal background biotic patterns. For research related to the sensitive species referenced above, a major impediment to achieving this goal has been the failure of BP to disburse $450 million dollars in promised research funds in a timely manner. Indeed, at the time of preparing this report approximately one year after the spill, a RFP (Request For Proposals) has yet to be issued by BP. Given the time it will take to prepare, submit and evaluate proposals and to disburse funds, it is highly unlikely that any research using these 50 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
funds will take place before September 2011. This is significant because most species in the Gulf reproduce in the Spring and Summer (March July), and one year of critical data collection will be lost. This will seriously hinder efforts to assess the consequences of the spill on reproduction, physiological condition, and behavior. On a related note, it should be emphasized that this report contains only a small percentage of the research that will eventually be conducted on the effects of the oil spill for two reasons. The first being that, because of slow release of funds by BP and other funding sources, many projects that are expected to happen have not yet been initiated. Because of this funding scenario, research to date has been dominated by a handful of researchers receiving RAPID awards from the National Science Foundation and by the NRDA process. Second, there are sure to be many projects in a preliminary or non-publicized stage that are not included because the authors of this report were not aware of them. It would be accurate to consider the research included in the current report as the proverbial tip of the iceberg of research that will eventually be conducted in response to the spill. Another report conducted in one year or eighteen months would likely find significantly more projects underway. In summary, this research suggests that the research response to the spill has been slow to develop, and that as a consequence data collection during two critical time windows (during/immediately following the spill and the first breeding season following the spill) has been severely limited. Although substantial investment in research in upcoming months and years is expected, rigorously identifying the consequences of the spill may be challenging for two reasons: (1) the aforementioned lack of data during ecologically sensitive periods following the spill when signatures of the spill would be most evident; and, (2) the widespread lack of baseline data with which to compare post-spill data.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 51 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
LITERATURE CITED
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Fisher, W.S., Foss, S.S., 1993. A simple test for toxicity of Number 2 fuel oil and oil dispersants to embryos of grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. Marine Pollution Bulletin 26, 385-391. Fuller, C., Bonner, J., Page, C., Ernest, A., McDonald, T., and S. McDonald. 2004. Comparative toxicity of oil, dispersant, and oil plus dispersant to several marine species. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 23(12): 29412949. Gilfillan, E. S., and J. W. Vandermeulen. 1978. Alternations in growth and physiology of softshelled clams, Mya arenaria, chronically oiled with Bunker C from Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia, 1970-1976. J. Rish. Res. Board Can. 35:630-636. Heintz, R.A., J.W. Short, and S.D. Rice, 1999. Sensitivity of pink salmon to weathered crude oil, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 18(3). Ibemesim, R.I., Bamidele, J.F., 2008. Comparative toxicity of two oil types and two dispersants on the growth of a seashore grass, Paspalum vaginatum (swartz). International Oil Spill Conference - IOSC 2008, Proceedings, pp. 875-880. Irons, D.B., Kendall, S.J., Erickson, W.P., McDonald, L.L., and B.K. Lance. 2000. Nine years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill: Effects on marine bird populations in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The Condor 102(4): 723 737. Irvine, G.V., Mann, D.H., and J.W. Short. 2006. Persistence of 10-year old Exxon Valdez oil on Gulf of Alaska beaches; The importance of boulder-armoring. Marine Pollution Bulletin 52(9) 1011 1022. Irvine, G.V. , Mann, D.H., and J.W. Short. 1999. Multi-year persistence of oil mousse on high energy beaches distant from the Exxon Valdez spill origin, Marine Pollution Bulletin. 38(7): 572-584. IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 07 April 2011. Krebs, C. T., and K. A. Burns. 1977. Long-term effects of an oil spill on populations of the saltmarsh crab Uca pugnax. Science 197:484-487. National Research Council. 2005. Oil Spill Dispersants: Efficacy and Effects. National Acedemic Press. National Research Council (NRC). 2003. Oil in the sea: inputs, fates and effects III. In: Council NR, editor. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. NOAA. 2010. Fish Stocks in the Gulf of Mexico. Accessed online at NOAA. 2010. Oil and Sea Turtles: Biology, planning and response. Accessed online at http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/topic_subtopic_entry.php?RECORD_KEY%28entry _subtopic_topic%29=entry_id,subtopic_id,topic_id&entry_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=9& subtopic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=13&topic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=1 NOAA (2010). Deepwater Horizon MC252 Gulf Incident Oil Budget. Accessed online at http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/PDFs/DeepwaterHorizonOilBudget20100801.pdf NOAA. 2010. Oil Spill NRDA Process and Deepwater Horizon Incident. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/meetings/2010_06/docs/nrda_process_deepwat er_horizon_incident.pdf. Accessed online 4/6/2011. NOAA. 2011. Sea turtles and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/oilspill/turtles.html. Access online on 4/4/2011. NOAA (2011). Deepwater Horizon MC252: Documented Marine Mammals in Northern Gulf of Mexico from 4/30/10 10/18/10. Accessed online at
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http://gomex.erma.noaa.gov/layerfiles/12701/files/DWHMC252_MarineMammals2010 1019.pdf Perkins, E.J., Gribbon, E., and J.W.M. Logan. 1973. Oil dispersant toxicity. Marine Pollution Bulletin 4(6): 90-93. Peterson, C.H., Rice, S.D., Short, J.W., Esler, D., Bodkin, J.L., Ballachey, B.E., and D.B. Irons. 2003. Long-term ecosystem response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Science 302: 2082 2086. Ramachandran, S. D., Hodson, P.V. Khan, C.W. Lee, K. 2004. Oil dispersant increases PAH uptake by fish exposed to crude oil. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 59(3), 300-308. Reichmann, O.J., Jones, M.B., and M.P. Schildhauer (2011). Challenges and opportunities of open data in ecology. Science: 703 705. Reid W., et al., Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: Ecosystems and Human Well-being (Washington, DC: Island Press, 2005). Rhoton, S.L., Perkins, R.A., Richter, Z.D., Behr-Andres, C., Lindstrom, J.E., Braddock, J.F., 1998?. Toxicity of dispersants and dispersed oil to an Alaskan marine organism. International Oil Spill Conference, pp. 8485-8488 Sanders, H. L., J. F. Grassle, G. R. Hampson, L. S. Morse, S. Garner-Price, and C. C. Jones. 1980. Anatomy of an oil spill: long-term effects from the grounding of the barge Florida off West Falmouth, Massachusetts. j.. Mar. Res. 38:265-380. Scarlett, A., Galloway, T.S., Canty, M., Smith, E.L., Nilsson, J., Rowland, S.J., 2005. Comparative toxicity of two oil dispersants, Superdispersant-25 and Corexit 9527, to a range of coastal species. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 24, 1219- 1227 Teal, J.M. and R.W. Howarth. 1984. Oil spill studies: A review of ecological effects. Environmental Management 8(1): 27 44. Unified Area Command. 2010. Deepwater Horizon Response Consolidated Fish and Wildlife Collection Report. http://www.restorethegulf.gov/sites/default/files/Consolidated%20Wildlife%20Table%2 010022010_0.pdf. Accessed online: 10/2/2010. Unified Area Command. 2010. Deepwater Horizon MC 252 Response: Strategic plan for sub-sea and sub-surface oil and dispersant detection, sampling and monitoring. http://www.spyglassbio.com/environmental_news/wpcontent/uploads/2010/11/13_NOV_2010_SMU_Strategic_Plan.pdf. Accessed online 4/10/2011. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2010. Effects of Oil on Wildlife and Habitat. http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/DHJICFWSOilImpactsWildlifeFactSheet.pdf. Accessed online: 10/2/2010. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2010. Federally Listed Wildlife and Plants Threatened by Gulf Oil Spill. http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/FedListedBirdsGulf.pdf. Accessed online: 10/2/2010. Xia, YQ; Boufadel, MC. 2010. Lessons from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill disaster in Alaska DISASTER ADVANCES, 3 (4): 270-273
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APPENDICES
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APPENDIX A
MAXIMUM LAND OILING
56 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
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APPENDIX B
DARRP IN MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA
58 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
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APPENDIX C
DARRP IN LOUISIANA
60 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
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APPENDIX D
DARRP IN FLORIDA
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APPENDIX E
DARRP IN TEXAS
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APPENDIX F
CONSOLIDATED FISH AND WILDLIFE COLLECTION REPORT
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APPENDIX G
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES PROXIMATE TO THE GULF COAST
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Appendix G. Threatened and Endangered Species Proximate to the Gulf Coast Amphibians frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) Threatened species info Final designated critical habitat Panama City Ecological Services Field Office
Mississippi Gopher Frog (Rana capito sevosa) Population: Wherever found west of Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers in AL, MS, and LA Reticulated flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma bishopi)
Endangered
species info
Endangered
species info
Birds Mississippi Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) Endangered species info Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical habitat Red-Cockaded (Picoides borealis) woodpecker Endangered species info Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office
(Charadrius
Threatened
species info
Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office
Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office
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Wood stork (Mycteria americana) Population: AL, FL, GA, SC Clams Alabama heelsplitter (Potamilus inflatus)
Endangered
species info
Threatened
species info
Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office
(Elliptio
Threatened
species info
Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical habitat
(Amblema
Endangered
species info
Endangered
species info
Endangered
species info
(Pleurobema
Endangered
species info
Threatened
species info
Endangered
species info
70 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Conifers and Cycads Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia) Endangered species info Panama City Ecological Services Field Office
Ferns and Allies Louisiana quillwort louisianensis) (Isoetes Endangered species info Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Fishes Gulf sturgeon oxyrinchus desotoi) (Acipenser Threatened species info Final designated critical habitat Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Okaloosa darter okaloosae) (Etheostoma Endangered species info species info species info Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office
Endangered
Candidate
Flowering Plants American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana) Apalachicola (Conradina glabra) rosemary Endangered species info species info species info species info species Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological
Endangered
Chapman rhododendron (Rhododendron chapmanii) Cooley's meadowrue (Thalictrum cooleyi) Florida skullcap (Scutellaria
Endangered
Endangered
Threatened
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info species info species info species info species info species info species info species info
Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office
Threatened
Endangered
Miccosukee echinellum)
gooseberry
(Ribes
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
White birds-in-a-nest (Macbridea alba) Lichens Florida Perforate (Cladonia perforata) Mammals Choctawhatchee Beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus allophrys) cladonia
Threatened
Endangered
species info
Endangered
species info
Endangered
species info species info Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical
Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office
(Ursus
Threatened
Endangered
species info
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habitat St. Andrew (Peromyscus peninsularis) Beach mouse polionotus Endangered species info Final designated critical habitat Final designated critical habitat Panama City Ecological Services Field Office
Endangered
species info
Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office
Reptiles Alabama Red-Belly (Pseudemys alabamensis) Black Pine snake melanoleucus lodingi) turtle Endangered species info species info species info species info Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Endangered species info Panama City Ecological Services Field Office
(Pituophis
Candidate
Eastern Indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) Gopher tortoise polyphemus) (Gopherus
Threatened
Threatened
of
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) Population: FL, Mexico nesting pops. Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) Population: endangered except where
Threatened
species info
Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office
turtle
Endangered
species info
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 73 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Services Field Office Kemp's Ridley sea (Lepidochelys kempii) turtle Endangered species info Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Leatherback sea (Dermochelys coriacea) turtle Endangered species info Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) Threatened species info Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Panama City Ecological Services Field Office Ringed Map turtle (Graptemys oculifera) Threatened species info Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office Yellow-Blotched Map (Graptemys flavimaculata) turtle Threatened species info Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office
74 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX H
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES CONCERNING FEDERALLY LISTED SENSITIVE SPECIES
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 75 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research Activities Concerning Federally Listed Sensitive Species Research Activities Classification of Title Activity Start Date West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Manatee Aerial Monitoring Monitoring Document the Impacts of Oil Intrusion on Keystone Sentinels in Mobile Bay Waters Research
Anticipated Date
6/8/10 Ongoing
Coastal and nearshore habitats, Dispersants, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals NRDA
7/15/10
12/31/10 Unknown Ecosystem health and indicators, Coastal and nearshore habitats, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
NGI, BP-GRI
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Effects on Manatee Habitat and Research, Food Supply Monitoring
6/1/10 Ongoing
Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Dauphin Island Sea Lab
5/1/10 Ongoing
76 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
life stages of aquatic Fisheries animals, Restoration Oil spill modeling and tracking, Ecosystem health and indicators, Coastal and nearshore habitats, Offshore habitats, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals USF Coastal and nearshore habitats, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs NSF- RAPID Ecosystem health and indicators, Coastal and nearshore habitats, Ecosystem and NOAA-NERRS, community structure MSU, UGA
USF: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Impact and Ecosystem Research, Assessment Monitoring
Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)
6/23/10 Ongoing
RAPID: Deepwater Horizon oil spill: Impacts on migratory shorebirds and carryover effects Research
10/1/10
9/30/11
Tulane University
3/1/10
Ongoing
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 77 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
3/1/10
Ongoing
Ecosystem health and indicators, Coastal and nearshore habitats, Ecosystem and NOAA-NERRS, community structure MSU, UGA Ecosystem health and indicators, Toxicology, Restoration NOAA, BP Oil spill modeling and tracking, Ecosystem health and indicators, Coastal and nearshore habitats, Offshore habitats, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals USF
USF: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Impact and Ecosystem Research, Assessment Monitoring
Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
6/23/10
Ongoing
78 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
USF: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Impact and Ecosystem Research, Assessment Monitoring
Kemps Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
6/23/10
Ongoing
Oil spill modeling and tracking, Ecosystem health and indicators, Coastal and nearshore habitats, Offshore habitats, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals USF Oil spill modeling and tracking, Ecosystem health and indicators, Coastal and nearshore habitats, Offshore habitats, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals USF Ecosystem health and indicators, Toxicology, Restoration NOAA, BP Oil spill modeling and tracking, Ecosystem USF
USF: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Impact and Ecosystem Research, Assessment Monitoring
6/23/10
Ongoing
6/23/10
Ongoing
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 79 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
and
health and indicators, Coastal and nearshore habitats, Offshore habitats, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals Ecosystem health and indicators, Toxicology, Restoration NOAA, BP Oil spill modeling and tracking, Ecosystem health and indicators, Coastal and nearshore habitats, Offshore habitats, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals USF Ecosystem health and indicators, Toxicology, Restoration NOAA, BP
USF: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Impact and Ecosystem Research, Assessment Monitoring
6/23/10
Ongoing
80 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
RAPID: Modeling of Short-Term and LongTerm Marine Mammal Population Trends in the Vicinity of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Using Passive Acoustic Monitoring Research, Cues Monitoring
9/1/10
8/31/11
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 81 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX I
COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
82 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Deepwat Research, er Monitoring Horizon Oil Spill Effects on Manatee Habitat and Food Supply
6/1/10 Ongoing
Coastal
Ecosystem health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
Alabama Dauphin Division Island Sea of Lab Wildlife and Freshwat er Fisheries
Data on conditions at known key manatee habitat sites in Alabama water (CTD, sediment and water column organic composition, and isotope ratios in available foods for manatees). Directly assessing presence of oil in water and on food resources (PAHs in water and sediments), plus other changes in habitat and food resource composition. A portion of the work is funded.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 83 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
3523920070
84 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 85 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
86 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 87 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
The goal of this project is to assess the short-term impacts of the spill on marshes and SAV habitats, with a view to long-term monitoring of trajectories toward recoveryor not. Research Ongoing Ongoing 2.00 Coastal Ecosystem health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Dispersants BP-FIO USF Pam M. Hallock
To test both toxicity and sublethaleffects of crude oil and dispersants on organisms that are amenable to experimental manipulation and are representative of calcifying members of reef and hard-bottom communities of Florida FAU Susan Laramor e
Research
Ongoing Ongoing
2.00 Coastal
Ecosystem BP-FIO health and indicators, Dispersants, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
88 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research
Ongoing Ongoing
2.00 Coastal
Ecosystem BP-FIO health and indicators, Dispersants, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
Research, Monitoring
Ongoing Ongoing
2.00 Coastal
BP-FIO
Jose Lopez
The central aim of this proposal is to use 2-3 sentinel sponge species and their associated microbiota along with advanced molecular and genomic tools to assess the impact of oil contamination on Western Florida shelf reefs.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 89 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research, Monitoring
10/1/1 10/1/11 0
1.00 Coastal
Penetrat Research, ion, Monitoring accumul ation and degradat ion of BP DWH oil in Florida
Ongoing Ongoing
2.00 Coastal
Ecosystem BP-FIO and community structure, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals, Trophic dynamics and food webs Oil spill BP-FIO modeling and tracking,Dispe rsants, Ecosystem health and indicators
FSU, Eckerd
Markus Huettel
90 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Ongoing Ongoing
1.00 Coastal
BP-FIO
FSU, MSU
Sherwoo d Wise
* To assess the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and BP dispersants on the base of the food chain, particularly on skeletal-bearing diatoms and calcareous nannoplankton. * To extend previous baseline studies of the protistin taxa in question from the coastal bays and estuaries to the continental slope and along the Florida Panhandle Research Ongoing Ongoing 1.00 Coastal Ecosystem BP-FIO and community structure, Dispersants, Trophic dynamics and food webs UWF, FAMU Wade Jeffrey
Research, Monitoring
Ongoing Ongoing
2.00 Coastal
BP-FIO
NSU, UNF
David Kerstette r
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 91 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research, Monitoring
Ongoing Ongoing
2.00 Coastal
Toxicology
BP-FIO
Research, Monitoring
Ongoing Ongoing
2.00 Coastal
BP-FIO
Sara Edge
Diagnostic tool development and integrated assessment of potential oil & dispersant impacts on Floridas reef building corals
92 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
BP-FIO
I. Assess biodiversity and community structure II. Create integrative taxonomic resource III. Establish monitoring, conduct baseline assessment
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 93 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Fate and Research Effects of the Deepwat er Horizon Oil Spill on the Ecologic al Structur e and Function of Coastal Wetland Ecosyste ms
8/27/1 8/26/11 0
1.00 Coastal
BP-LSU
94 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research, Monitoring
Ongoing Ongoing
Coastal
Ecosystem BP-LSU and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs
La Peyre, Megan
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 95 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Effects Research of Inhaled Florida Red Tide Breveto xins (oil contami nants are added as an addl mission of the grant) Samplin Research, g of Monitoring fishes (adults, juvenile s, larvae) ichthyop lankton, zooplan kton and water quality in the MobileTensaw Delta
7/15/0 6/30/11 0
11.00 Coastal
Human health, DHHS, UNCW Toxicology NIH, CDC, Center for FL-DOH Marine Science
Daniel Baden
7/8/10 Ongoing
Coastal
Ecosystem health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
EPA, ADCNR, Mississip piAlabama Sea Grant Consorti um, Alabama Agricultu ral Experime nt Station
baden @unc This consortium of investigators from 7 research and w.edu health organizations has spent 11 years examining the effects of inhaled Florida red tide brevetoxins on Sarasota Florida beaches. This NIH Program Project incorporates meteorology, oceanography, aerosol particulate chemistry and physics, water chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, in vivo and in vitro pharmacology, public health, and clinical sciences. This program piggy-backs oil component analysis as part of its mission, the oil components and red tide lipids possessing similar oil/water partitioning characteristics, and potential human exposure. Eleven years of collaboration provides for synergistic expertise related to ocean aerosols. Dennis 334- devrid DeVries, 844- r@aub Russell 9322, urn.ed Wright 334- u, 844- wrighr 9311 2@au burn.e du During 2002-2009 we sampled 6-8 sites once per month in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in coastal Alabama for fishes (including age-and-growth, diets, movement), plankton, and water quality. These data demonstrate the tremendous variation (seasonal, annual, spatial) in the biota in these ecosystems, and provide a baseline data set for comparison with postoil spill collections.
96 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
5/1/10 12/31/1 0
0.58 Coastal
Ecosystem health and indicators, Seafood safety, Trophic dynamics and food webs
Our objectives for this proposal are: 1. to collect beach seine, trawl, and gillnet data at our historical baseline sampling sites at the Chandeleur Islands and the Biloxi Marshes such that we can accurately assess any impacts of the oil spill on local juvenile fishes, crabs, and shrimp; 2. to recollect our 52 PIT tagged lemon sharks prior to the brunt of the oil spill's impact on the habitats; and 3. to establish a 'post oil spill' collection and assessment protocol such that we can begin efforts involving analyzing the long-term impacts of the oil spill on aquatic organisms.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 97 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Objectives of the project are to assess the pathways and rates at which hydrocarbons from the spill are incorporated into the local marine food web. We will examine three primary consumers, the suspensionfeeding commercial oyster, Crassostrea virginica, deposit-feeding clams of the family Tellinidae, and the omnivorous grazing gastropod Littoraria irrorata. We are focusing on mollusks because of the importance of the oyster fishery in the region, and also because environmental perturbations of many scales (including hydrocarbon spills) are recorded in the accretionary growth of their shells. In this way, we will trace the secondary impacts (not related to fouling by direct contact) of hydrocarbons as these organic compounds move through trophic levels of the coastal ecosystem. Research, Monitoring 5/1/10 6/30/11 1.17 Coastal Ecosystem Louisian LSU Dept. of Dr. Kim health and a Sea Oceanograph de indicators, Grant y and Coastal Mutsert Seafood safety, Sciences Ecosystem and community structure, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals 2255785317 kdemu t1@ls u.edu Assess the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the growth rate and mortality of Farfantepenaeus aztecus and Callinectes sapidus. Farfantepenaeus aztecus (brown shrimp) and Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) will be sampled monthly in salt marshes and open bays in coastal Louisiana using a Before-AfterControl-Impact design with samples Paired in time (BACIP design). An impacted estuary, presumable Breton Sound pending the landfall of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, will be sampled once a month with a bag seine at selected sites within the estuary at marsh edges and with an otter trawl in the open water of the upper Sound.
98 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Microbia Research, l Species Monitoring and Commu nity Structur e as Indicato rs of Oil Spill Recover y and Restorat ion
5/1/10 4/30/11
1.00 Coastal
Louisian LSU Dept of Dr. Ralph 225a Sea Environment Portier 578Grant al Sciences 4287
6/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.54 Coastal
Dispersants, Louisian LSU Toxicology, a Sea AgCenter Impact on life Grant stages of aquatic animals
rporti 1) Determine the quantitative relationship of the e@lsu. proportion of Acinetobacter sp, a native bacterial edu species in the microbial community structure upon the insurgence of crude oil, and during the remediation and recovery time period in laboratory microcosms. 2) Develop a panel of DNA primer sets for the simultaneous qPCR (Quantitative Real-Time PCR) analyses of diverse microbial species in environmental water specimens in order to evaluate the level of contamination and the degree of recovery and/or restoration of the local aquatic environment. 3) Establish quantitative indicators in the microbial populations for the level of recovery and restoration of contaminated salt marsh sites in the field. Using the results of the laboratory studies in the above objectives 1) and 2) as a guide, the population dynamics of Acinetobacter and/or other marker microbes in the community structure following an oil release and at six month intervals during recovery will be demonstrated. An additional corollary to this research effort may also involve dispersant effects on the community paradigm. jander son@a Standard static LC50 96-hr trials with 4 concentrations gcente of Corexit 9500 and a control will be run with blue r.lsu.e crab juveniles. Sub-lethal 24 hr and 48 hr dosing du experiments will be done with juveniles to look at long-term sublethal affects of dispersant exposure.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 99 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research, Monitoring
5/1/10 12/31/1 0
0.58 Coastal
Acute Research respons es of oyster populati ons to the Deepwat er Horizon oil spill across coastal Louisian a: examini ng hydroca rbon
5/1/10 1/31/11
0.75 Coastal
Ecosystem health and indicators, Seafood safety, Ecosystem and community structure, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals Ecosystem health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Seafood safety
La Peyre, Megan
caz@t ulane. The objective of this project is to estimate the effects of edu the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the recruitment of Callinectes sapidus, blue crab, into Gulf of Mexico (GOM) estuaries. To do this, we will use a particletracking model to simulate blue crab larval dispersal from March 1st-June 30th, 2010 in the GOM both with and without the oil spill kill-zone. These simulations will provide us estimates of total GOM-wide reduction in blue crab recruitment due to the oil spill, and will also enable us to identify specific areas in the GOM where recruitment will be most drastically decreased. jlapeyr e@agc tr.lsu.e du
To assess the impacts of crude oil on oyster populations by comparing the health and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons concentration of oysters sampled pre-spill, within the first 2 weeks of the oil spill reaching the oysters and after 2 months of oil exposure in three Louisiana estuaries
100 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research, Monitoring
5/1/10 12/31/1 1
0.58 Coastal
Ecosystem Louisian Louisiana health and a Sea State indicators, Grant University Ecosystem and community structure, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
Brown, K.
kmbro We will develop a rapid assessment index of oil spill wn@ls effects on adult oyster condition, reproduction, u.edu survival and growth, and the diversity and abundance of the commensal community that is so important to fish production. We will place out vexar bags filled with oysters at sites heavily and lightly impacted by the spill, retrieve them after 2 months, and record oyster survival, weight change, condition index, and the commensal community. We will also place out clay tiles to record oyster spat recruitment at the same sites. This will enable a rapid, low cost way to assess the health of oyster reefs exposed to hydrocarbon pollution from the Deep Horizon spill. Should longer term funding be available, we will ground truth our estimates by sampling plots in nearby oyster reefs for effects on oyster cover and biomass, and conduct further studies on effects on oyster settlement and recruitment. We will also compare our data to LDWF pre-spill sampling of oyster reefs/leases on nearby areas.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 101 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Monitoring
9/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.29 Coastal
Oil spill NGI modeling and tracking, Trophic dynamics and food webs
102 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 103 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
6/16/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.54 Coastal
8/1/10 7/30/11
1.00 Coastal
104 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research
7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.46 Coastal
Oil spill NGI, BP- Dauphin modeling and GRI Island Sea tracking, Lab Dispersants, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
Now that oil is fully inundating Alabama's coastal waters, we propose seven tasks that will evaluate the initial (acute) impacts of this unprecedented environmental catastrophe on the same ecologically and economically important components of our coastal ecosystem that were sampled before oiling occurred. Efforts will be focused on documenting oil impacts, assuming they exist, on planktonic organisms, economically and ecologically important adult fishes, trophic pathways, key biogeochemical processes driven by microbial communities, finfish and shellfish nursery habitats, and representative federally listed species in our area.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 105 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
The project developed by Florida State University in response to this spill represents an integrated, rapidresponse study of the impact of oil on coastal and ocean marine ecosystems of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The objectives of this proposal are to improve the modeling physical parameters that influence the distribution and persistence of oil; to examine the effects of oil deposition on biogeochemistry and the direct and indirect consequences to coastal habitats and marine food webs that support fishery production; and to determine the ecological considerations needed to inform rapid bioremediation. Research 6/16/1 12/31/1 0 0 0.54 Coastal Unknown NGI, BP- University of Harriet GRI Southern Perry, Mississippi Bruce Comyns Unkno Harrie wn t.Perry @usm. edu, Bruce. Comyn s@us The goal is to investigate possible impacts to the m.edu species composition and abundance of fish and invertebrate larvae collected during summer on the inner continental shelf of the north-central Gulf resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill event. Objectives include the following: 1) compare the species composition and abundance of fish larvae collected at the two SEAMAP stations with a historical database of summer ichthyoplankton collections taken at the same locations during the past 10 years, and 2) determine distribution and abundance of fish and selected invertebrate decapods larvae in transect samples from oblique and surface plankton tows.
106 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Investig Research ation of Juvenile Fishes Associat ed with Pelagic Sargassu m Habitat in the North Central Gulf of Mexico Monitori Monitoring, ng and Research Assessm ent of Potentia l Impacts of Oil Contami nation on Coastal and
6/16/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.54 Coastal
Ecosystem NGI, BP- University of and GRI Southern community Mississippi structure, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
6/16/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.54 Coastal
Bruce Unkno Bruce. Comyns, wn Comyn Eric s@us Due to the importance of pelagic Sargassum as critical Hoffmay m.edu, nursery habitat for an abundance of juvenile fishes, the er, Jim Eric.H proposed study will provide a timely assessment of Franks offmay impacts to the Sargassum juvenile fish community er@us relative to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The m.edu objectives of the study are to describe and compare the juvenile fish community (species composition, sizes, and abundance) associated with oil impacted and non-oil-impacted Sargassum habitat. Also, to determine the relationships between species richness and abundance of juvenile fishes identified in Sargassum collections and the quantities of Sargassum taken in collections. Ecosystem NGI, BP- University of Stephan Unkno stepha The potential incorporation of PAH-related health and GRI Southern Howden, wn n.how carcinogens into local fisheries and shellfish is also a indicators, Mississippi Scott den@ major cause of concern. This project involves Seafood safety, Milroy usm.e monitoring the impacts of PAH-contamination within Dispersants du, ecologically and commercially important species. This scott. assessment will not only serve to define the extent of milroy ecosystem impairment as a result of the DWH spill, but @usm. such information will also be used to inform resource edu managers and provide data to initialize specialized oil spill-food chain interaction models capable of forecasting production, mortality, and the bioaccumulation of PAH-toxins among end-members within the larger marine food web.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 107 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Monitori Research ng the Impacts of Disperse d Oil Exposur e on Ecologic ally and Economi cally Importa nt Species in the Norther n Gulf of Mexico Using molecul ar Biomark ers
6/16/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.54 Coastal
NGI, BP- University of R.J. Unkno Joe.Gri GRI Southern Griffitt, wn ffitt@u Mississippi Robin sm.ed Overstre u, et Robin. Overst reet@ usm.e du
Our research plan will examine the hypothesis that dispersed oil exposure will lead to altered biomarker expression states in exposed organisms indicative of exposure to hydrocarbons released from the Deepwater Horizon site. We will survey field populations for effects of crude and dispersed oil contamination using a suite of well known and validated molecular, functional, and histopathological biomarkers. Exposures will also be performed under controlled laboratory settings to assess effects on larval development and reproduction.
108 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research
6/16/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.54 Coastal
Research
7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.46 Coastal
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 109 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Nutrient Research Dynamic s and Primary Producti vity in the Breton Sound Estuary as Impacte d by the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Impact Research of the Deepwat er Horizon Oil Spill on Vibrios in the Norther n Gulf of Mexico
7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.46 Coastal
Oil spill NGI, BP- Louisiana modeling and GRI State tracking, University Restoration
Susan Welsh
Unkno swelsh wn @lsu.e du This project will measure nutrient dynamics and primary productivity in Breton Sound Estuary as impacted by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. We will map the distribution of various ecological parameters along a transect run in upper Breton Sound estuary approximately each two weeks from late August to early December 2010 using a flow through system. Spatial and temporal patterns of nutrients, especially nitrate, will be used to determine the capacity of the Breton Sound estuary to process nutrient inputs from the Caernarvon diversion.
7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.46 Coastal
Oil spill NGI, BP- Louisiana modeling and GRI State tracking, University Impact on life stages of aquatic animals, Restoration
Susan Welsh
Unkno swelsh wn @lsu.e This project is to determine the impact of the du Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the abundance and virulence of Vibrio in the Gulf. The proposed work is to 1) measure the concentrations of total and pathogenic V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus in water, bottom sediment, and oysters in Breton Sound and Barataria Bay, 2) measure environmental parameters, in particular salinity, temperature, turbidity, and chlorophyll, and 3) compare the concentrations of total and pathogenic V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus before and after the oil spill.
110 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research
7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.46 Coastal
Oil spill NGI, BP- Louisiana modeling and GRI State tracking, University Restoration
Susan Welsh
With a decline in the depth of the oxic layer into the sediments, organic matter degradation increases via anaerobic respiration. This ultimately leads to an increase in hydrogen sulfide concentrations which inhibit nitrification. To evaluate the extent to which the nitrogen cycle in Mobile Bay marsh sediments may be altered by oiling, we will compare potential rates of nitrification and denitrification at control and contaminated sites in the summer and fall. We will also measure the composition of PAH in the sediments with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry following a modified dichloromethane methanol extraction. Unkno swelsh We will continue to collect samples at six stations wn @lsu.e along each transect to assess the abundance and du community composition of phytoplankton, microzooplankton, and mesozooplankton. The samples will be replicate whole water samples from one to two feet below the surface at each station. A digital, semi-automated analysis technique will be used to create a permanent digital record of the samples and to allow for rapid analysis of the samples in the short time period of this proposed work.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 111 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
We propose to conduct replicated field surveys along the Mobile Bay ship channel at multiple locations. Velocities will be measured using a vessel-mounted ADP. We will use CTD castings made at 15 stations to measure temperature, salinity, CDOM fluorescence, dissolved oxygen, etc. The main issues to be addressed include: 1) to what extent does along-channel circulation and scalar transport vary spatially and temporally in the channel; 2) does freshwater discharge enhance or retard the landward intrusion of near surface water containing light materials and near bottom water with heavy materials; and 3) what is the relationship between stratification and along channel transport. Research 7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0 0.46 Coastal Ecosystem and community structure NGI, BP- Dauphin GRI Island Sea Lab Sean Powers Unkno spowe wn rs@dis l.org We will conduct both longline sampling and benthic trawling at historically occupied stations in the nearshore and inshore waters of coastal Alabama. Post inundation catch data will be compared with existing data, collected by DISL scientists, to quantify the immediate impacts of uncontrolled releases of oil on the abundance and species composition of adult fishes. Tissues will be extracted from different species of demersal fishes for carbon, nitrogen and sulfur stable isotope analysis. Comparisons of this data will be made with samples collected for another NGI project which supported the collection of demersal fishes before the inundation of oil.
112 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
NIUST Research Deepwat er Horizon Oil Spill MultiTask Researc h Proposal Docume Research nt the Impacts of Oil Intrusio n on Keyston e Sentinel s in Mobile Bay Waters
7/2/10 12/31/1 0
0.50 Coastal
7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.46 Coastal
Oil spill NGI, BP- University of Raymond Unkno ray@o modeling and GRI Mississippi Highsmit wn lemiss. tracking, h edu This project involves modifying the Station Service Ecosystem Device to become a versatile platform for detecting, and monitoring and mapping oil plumes in the marine community environment. The SSD will be modified to work to full structure, spill depths and to easily support additional Restoration instruments that will make the SSD a multi-function sampling platform capable of reaching the depths needed to map and monitor subsurface oil plumes. Ecosystem NGI, BP- Dauphin Ruth Unkno rcarmi In Mobile Bay, the health of two important species, the and GRI Island Sea Carmicha wn chael American oyster and the endangered West Indian community Lab el @disl. Manatee, are at risk of contamination by oil. To structure, org quantify the effects of oil-derived substances and Hypoxia reported oil spill-induced hypoxia on oysters, we will add the quantification of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and stress-targeted proteins on ongoing oyster studies at two reef sites. To measure oil spill impacts on manatees, we will monitor the movement of two to four tagged manatees throughout local waters. PAH and contaminant testing of water and sediment samples in the ship channel and other travel corridors will also be performed.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 113 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
This project will model the effects of pulsed river diversion on oil transport and fish distribution. Our project combines hydrodynamics (physics), water quality, and individual-based fish models into a single integrated physics to fish model, and examine how changes in salinity, temperature, and water quality resulting from diversions affect several key fish species. Research 7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0 0.46 Coastal Oil spill NGI, BP- Louisiana modeling and GRI State tracking, University Impact on life stages of aquatic animals, Restoration Susan Welsh Unkno swelsh wn @lsu.e du
We will conduct respiration studies to determine if oil inputs are depressing ecosystem P:R and lowering of estuarine oxygen levels towards hypoxic conditions. Changes in oxygen and particulate organic matter are monitored in these bottle experiments to assess metabolic activity and respiration. Related new studies will focus on trying to understand the broader breakdown of oil during respiration by the whole ecosystem.
Research
7/2/10 12/31/1 0
0.50 Coastal
Oil spill NGI, BP- University of Raymond Unkno ray@o modeling and GRI Mississippi Highsmit wn lemiss. To improve understanding of the processes governing tracking, h edu the fate of oil droplets in the deep plumes, including Ecosystem the advection and mixing of materials, we will map the and size and three-dimensional distribution of oil droplets community and hydrates throughout the water column using a structure, quantitative camera system augmented by sensors for Restoration methane, CDOM and PAH levels. Also, we will collect and study sediment samples near the wellhead and surrounding sites such as MC118.
114 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Docume Research nt the Impacts of Oil Intrusio n on the Health of Critical Nursery Habitats and Habitat Utilizati on Patterns of the Young of Economi cally Importa nt Fishes
7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.46 Coastal
The pre-oil spill impact data collected on seagrass composition and biomass, as well as associated mobile macroinvertebrates and juvenile fishes, provide a baseline to compare the impacts of current inundation of oil on the health and function of critical vegetated nursery habitats in coastal Alabama. These data will be combined with additional data from intertidal marshes adjacent to seagrass meadows that have been sampled as part of another project. With this data set, we will be able to document any oil impacts by using methods identically used in pre-oiling collections in the areas that have subsequently received oil.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 115 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
116 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Water Research, and Monitoring sedimen t toxicity assessm ent after Deepwat er Horizon Oil Spill
6/1/10 Ongoing
Coastal
Ecosystem NOAA health and indicators, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
6629156691
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 117 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research
6/1/08 5/31/11
3.00 Coastal
Ecosystem NOAA health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
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Research, Monitoring
4/29/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
Ecosystem health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
NOAAECSC, NOAANERRS
Our 7-day cruise in the northern Gulf of Mexico adds to 5 years of late summer baseline data including highresolution mapping of hydrography, oxygen, plankton and fish. Our domain of interest encompasses the hypoxic zone west of the Mississippi Delta as well as east of the Mississippi adjacent to oil transport from the spill. Our metrics of species diversity and abundance, biomass size spectrum, fish diets, fish growth rate potential and ecosystem models will be extremely useful to assess possible effects of the oil spill on living resources in this region. Broader mapping of the affected area is also planned. Unkno Natural, sandy beaches within the Grand Bay National wn Estuarine Research Reserve (Grand Battures and Point aux Chenes) were surveyed for diamondback terrapin nesting activity. Diamondback terrapins are a small turtle endemic to coastal salt marshes; terrapins construct their nests on sandy beaches, above the high tide line. Depredated nests were used as a proxy as intact nests are cryptic and difficult to identify. Nest locations were recorded using GPS and nest sites were characterized, describing percent cover of vegetation surrounding the nest site. Eggshells were counted and removed from the beach to prevent re-counting of nests on subsequent surveys.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 119 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Submerg Research, ed Monitoring Aquatic Vegetati on (SAV) surveys: distribut ion and composi tion Baseline Monitoring assessm ent of sedimen t and benthic commun ities within the Grand Bay National Estuarin e Researc
4/11/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
NOAANERRS
4/29/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
Ecosystem NOAAhealth and NERRS indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
120 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Water Research, quality Monitoring assessm ent: longterm monitori ng and event based samplin g Fish Research, commun Monitoring ities of nearsho re habitats within the Grand Bay National Estuarin e Researc
4/29/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
Oil spill NOAAmodeling and NERRS tracking, Ecosystem health and indicators, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
4/29/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
Ecosystem NOAAhealth and NERRS indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
Unkno Four water quality monitoring stations (and one wn weather station) are located throughout the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and are actively maintained as part of the NERRS System-wide Monitoring Program (SWMP). YSI data sondes record a variety of abiotic parameters (e.g. salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen) every 15 minutes; data are telemetered to the internet near-real time. In addition, monthly samples are collected throughout the Reserve for nutrient analyses. In response to the Deepwater Horizon spill, a variety of additional grab samples have been collected for MS DEQ and other agencies for PAH analysis, hydrocarbon monitoring, etc. Unkno wn Fish were collected and preserved as part of an ongoing characterization of nearshore fish communities within the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, initiated in 2005. Fish were collected at 14 sties based on five habitat types (depositional salt marsh edge, erosional edge, sandy beach, shell midden, and seagrass) using a 20 foot bag seine (1/8 inch ACE mesh) pulled for approximately 50 meters at each site. Fish were preserved, identified, measured (mmSL), and deposited at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences. Additional fishes were collected using a 16 foot otter trawl (1/8 inch ACE interior mesh) in deeper-water locations.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 121 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Baseline Research, Assessm Monitoring ent of estuarin e macroin vertebra tes within the Grand Bay National Estuarin e Researc h Reserve Baseline Monitoring assessm ent of plankton occurrin g within seagrass beds of the
4/29/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
Ecosystem NOAAhealth and NERRS indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Trophic dynamics and food webs, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
Unkno wn
Oyster, blue crab, shrimp, fiddler crab, and periwinkle snails were collected throughout the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR) located in southeast Jackson County, Mississippi. All samples were collected following USEPA guidelines outlined for mussels requiring oil chemistry source fingerprinting analysis. In brief, samples were collected using nitrile-gloved hands, placed in aluminum foil and then double-bagged in plastic storage bags, and frozen. Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Gretchen 228Grammer 4757047 Unkno wn Plankton samples were collected from two seagrass beds (Middle Bay and Jose Bay) within the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, southeast Jackson County, Mississippi. Plankton samples were collected using a 330 mesh net, 2 feet in diameter and towed for five minutes. Samples were fixed in the field in 10% formalin and transferred to 70% ethanol after three days.
4/29/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
Ecosystem NOAAhealth and NERRS indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and
122 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Monitoring
4/29/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
Oil spill NOAAmodeling and NERRS tracking, Ecosystem health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals Ecosystem health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure NOAANERRS, MSU, UGA
Unkno wn Survey transects were created at the Grand Battures, Point aux Chenes, and Bangs Island within the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR), Mississippi. PVC poles were spaced 200 meters across the shorelines; from these sites, sectors will be created for staff and other personnel to survey for plant and wildlife damage. Photographs were taken at each pole (upbeach, down beach, toward land, substrate) and georeferenced. Additionally, photographs and percent cover estimates were taken at 31 emergent marsh sites throughout the GBNERR. Marsh edge type, percent cover of floral species within a 50 meter radius, and GPS location were recorded. Unkno Secretive marsh birds and marsh passerines were wn surveyed along pre-determined routes within the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR) and Pascagoula River marshes in Jackson County, Mississippi. During 13 minute point counts, call-playback surveys were utilized to illicit responses from territorial, breeding birds. All individuals and distances were counted and recorded. Shorebirds were surveyed at the Grand Battures (GBNERR). Birds were observed with a HD 80mm Swarovski spotting scope with 20x-60x zoom. All birds were identified to species and counted.
Research, Monitoring
3/1/10 Ongoing
Coastal
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 123 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Oiled Restoration sea turtle rehabilit ation Acute Research toxicity of the anionic surfacta nt dioctyl sodium sulfosuc cinate to eggs, larvae, and juvenile Gulf killifish at varying salinitie s
6/21/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
NOAA, BP
Craig Harms
2522226339
5/1/10 12/31/1 0
0.67 Coastal
The overall goal of this project is to investigate the acute toxicity of a primary oil dispersant component to eggs, larvae, and juvenile Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) across a range of environmentally relevant salinities. Specifically this work seeks to determine the 96-h median lethal concentration (LC50) values for dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) to eggs, 15-d posthatch (dph) larvae, and juvenile (0.5 g) Gulf killifish. Due to the ability of DSS to alter absorption rates and membrane permeability we believe that it might demonstrate increasing toxicity as salinity ranges from freshwater to full strength seawater.
124 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Monitoring, Research
10/1/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
Ecosystem NOAA, and NGI community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs
We will examine the independent and interactive effects of plant species diversity, consumer presence, and bioremediation (nutrient addition) on the recovery of salt marsh systems from oil / hydrocarbon exposure. Specifically, we will (1) quantify relationships between plant species diversity, community structure, and response to oil exposure in natural salt marshes ranging from St. Joe Bay to Cedar Key, FL, and (2) experimentally test the relative importance of plant species diversity, consumer presence, and bioremediation via nutrient additions on the recovery of salt marshes across this same geographic region.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 125 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
251- jcebria We intend to evaluate the impact that the Deep Water 861- n@disl Horizon oil spill will have on the abundance, diversity 2141X .org and productivity of marine invertebrates and 7568 vertebrates that inhabit coastal marshes in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Our focus is on recreationally and economically important species of shellfish (e.g., brown shrimp, blue crab) and finfish (e.g., red drum, spotted sea trout, grey snapper) that recruit or live permanently on marsh edges and adjacent seagrass beds. Over the past few years, we have been quantifying the abundance, diversity and productivity of invertebrates and juvenile fish in a number of marsh locations expanding the states of Mississippi and Alabama. Thus, our pre-spill robust data set provides us with an opportunity to document the effects of the spill on this important ecosystem service provided by marshlands. Ruth H. 251- rcarmi Carmicha 861- chael Manatee emergency response and direct monitoring: el 2141X @disl. To conduct aerial surveys for manatees for the 7555 org duration of the spill. Weekly surveys are ongoing. This work is an NRDA collaboration with Sea to Shore Alliance in Florida and part of a coastwide survey effort that includes LA, MS, AL, and FL. Aerial surveys are funded, but emergency response is not funded.
126 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 127 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
RAPID Research respons e to measuri ng the ecologic al effects of the Deepwat er Horizon oil spill on the Florida Coastal
8/1/10 7/31/11
1.00 Coastal
Ecosystem NSF health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs
128 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
5/10/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal
2527266841 x137
We are expanding the well-developed ADCIRC modeling capability for high resolution circulation and storm surge to include potential oil trajectories in the nearshore. This complements most existing modeling in the Gulf that is better suited to deeper waters. Specifically we are (i) interfacing ADCIRC model velocity fields (including tides and wave driven currents) with an unstructured grid particle tracking code to represent oil spill movement, (ii) evaluating model results against available field data with the goal of improving model parameterizations and physics, (iii) providing cyber-enhancements to allow integrated, scalable tracking and real time graphics output, (iv) modeling potential oil transport associated with hurricanes.
Assessm Research, ent of Monitoring the impacts of the Deep Horizon oil spill on Bluecrab , Callinect es
7/1/10 6/30/11
1.00 Coastal
Ecosystem NSFand RAPID community structure, Dispersants, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
(601) Richar 266- d.Fulfo This project involves monitoring and toxicological 4119 rd@us experiments to assess the impact of crude oil and m.edu dispersant in the water column on growth, survival, and behavior of blue crab zoea and megalopae. Monitoring consists of daily measurements of megalopal settlement rate at seven sites along the Mississippi coast from June to September. Laboratory experiments will be used to estimate lethal tolerance of both zoea and megalopae to crude oil and dispersant, as well as effects of chronic sub-lethal exposure on molecular stress response, molting rate, and swimming behavior.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 129 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
130 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
132 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 133 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
134 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 135 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
136 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 137 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
138 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 139 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
140 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 141 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
142 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
SBIR Restoration Phase I Rapid :ALLEVI ATING THE WORST EFFECT S OF THE GULF OIL SPILL IN LITTOR AL WETLA NDS
8/15/1 7/31/11 0
0.96 Coastal
Restoration
NSFRAPID
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 143 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
144 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Jenny, (205) mjjenn As a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, millions Matthew; 348- y@as. of gallons of oil have leaked into the Gulf of Mexico and Tarrant, 5152 ua.edu much of that oil has and will continue to wash up along Ann ; the Gulf Coast of the United States. In an attempt to atarra minimize the amount of oil to reach the coast, an nt@w unprecedented of amount of dispersant has been used hoi.ed both on surface oil and at the source of the leak. The u impact of this unprecedented use of dispersant on the marine environment, food webs and the bioavailability of oil remains to be investigated. Furthermore, the microbial degradation of oil and dispersed oil in the marine environment or estuarine marshes can produce very low oxygen levels (hypoxia) that will further stress marine and estuarine invertebrates. Unfortunately, very little information is available on the impact of oil or dispersed oil and additional abiotic stressors (hypoxia) on the physiology of marine and estuarine invertebrates. Nematostella vectensis is a sea anemone (an organism related to reef-building corals) found in salt marshes along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast of the United States. This project will use Nematostella as a model to address the urgent need to understand the physiological responses of estuarine invertebrates to oil exposure, combined exposure of oil and dispersant and possible synergism between oil exposure and hypoxia (low oxygen). First, Nematostella will be collected from Gulf Coast populations. Contaminant load, energetic stores and reproductive status will be quantified. Molecular techniques will be used to determine which genes are affected ("turned on" or "turned off") in anemones from oil-exposed sites. Second, laboratory experiments will be conducted to determine the effects of oil exposure and combined exposure to oil and dispersant under normal oxygen (normoxic) and hypoxic conditions. Brine shrimp will be reared in the presence of a range of concentrations of oil, dispersant, and oil with dispersant. These shrimp will be fed to Nematostella under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Effects of exposure will be characterized by assessing changes in gene expression, lipid analysis, histological examination and biochemical assays. The results of EFFECTS OF THE these experiments will provide insight into the different molecular and cellular processes that are used to protect the organism from combinations of stressors that are associated with the oil spill and exposure to oil or dispersed oil. This project will also enable development of biomarkers that can be used to assess responses of organisms collected in the field. Broader Impacts: This project will provide insight into
146 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 147 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
148 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 149 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
150 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 151 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
152 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
154 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 155 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
156 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
We address scientific questions about community change resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and subsequent remediation efforts. We are examining standing stocks, growth, and elemental flow in dominant plants, microbes, common meiofaunal and macro-invertebrate consumers, and soil to test hypotheses about how salt-marsh ecosystems function under different stressors. Field efforts were supported by a NSF Rapid Grant with the explicit understanding that additional monies will be sought to complete analyses. This proposal supports these analyses.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 157 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
158 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Baseline Research elevatio n and function of Gulf Coast baldcypr ess swamps
6/1/05 Ongoing
Coastal
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 159 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Funds are requested to undertake an in-depth analysis of the species diversity and abundance in dinoflagellate population to quantify and assess the short term impacts of the crude oil on this organicwalled algal population. Because dinoflagellates are one of the two major components of the phytoplankton communities, monitoring the health of their population is crucial to assess the stability of the food chain. Monitoring Ongoing Ongoing 1.00 Coastal, Offshore Oil spill BP-FIO modeling and tracking FSU, UWF Ian McDonal d
160 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research, Monitoring
9/1/10
9/1/12
UM
Rod Zika
Research, Monitoring
Ongoing Ongoing
7275531041
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 161 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
COAPS-FSU
Steve Morey
8506440345
We have been producing model forecasts of surface oil trajectories daily using the Gulf of Mexico 1/25 degree HYCOM surface currents and forecast wind products (deepwaterhorizon.fsu.edu). Concurrently, we are using SAR-derived imagery to develop objective metrics for evaluating model performance. These metrics are being used to quantify the impacts of changes in model forumations and parameterizations to improve the models.
5/1/08 Ongoing
Coastal, Offshore
Oil spill modeling and tracking, Ecosystem health and indicators, Seafood safety, Ecosystem and community structure, Dispersants, Trophic dynamics and food webs, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
ROFFS
Mitchell Roffer
3217235759
We are studying the recruitment processes affecting the adult fish and ichthyoplankton in the Gulf of Mexico in relation to ocean conditions and oil.
162 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
A Research Compre hensive Assessm ent of Oil Distribu tion, Transpo rt, Fate, and Impacts on Ecosyste ms and the Deepwat er Horizon Oil Release
6/16/1 12/31/1 0 0
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 163 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
The overall objectives of this task include the following: 1) determine if oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill has reached the sea floor at any depth below the intertidal zone, from shelf to bathyal depths, 2) determine if hypoxia has been exacerbated, extended to other regions or has been reduced in oil affected areas, 3) describe and compare the meio-and macro benthic communities associated with oil impacted and non-oil-impacted in near shore and deep water benthic habitats, and 4) examine abundance and hydrocarbon contamination of tissue in the deep-sea red crab at selected sites. John Unkno jvalent Valentine wn ine@d isl.org Now that oil is inundating Alabama's coastal waters, we propose seven tasks that will evaluate the initial impacts of this unprecedented environmental catastrophe on the same ecologically and economically important components of our coastal ecosystem that were sampled before oiling occurred. Efforts will be focused on documenting oil impacts, assuming they exist, on planktonic organisms, economically and ecologically important adult fishes, trophic pathways, key biogeochemical processes driven by microbial communities, finfish and shellfish nursery habitats, and representative federally listed species in our area.
Research
7/15/1 12/31/1 0 0
Ecosystem NGI, BP- Dauphin and GRI Island Sea community Lab structure, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
164 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research, Monitoring
6/30/1 7/18/10 0
Oil spill NOAA modeling and tracking, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
We will evaluate how pH affects the phytoplankton species community structure during and after the Deep Water Horizon incident in Barataria Bay and Breton Sound. Microscopic examinations of surface water samples will be conducted to study changes in phytoplankton composition. The uptake and biomagnification of hydrocarbon Benzo[a]pyrene will be examined for specific species of phytoplankton that are predicted to dominate the community, as well as zooplankton and potentially for higher trophic levels. Unkno Gustav NOAA/AOML is currently serving a suite of products wn o.Goni derived from satellite observations for the response @noaa effort. While these multiple remotely-sensed .gov observations and products aid scientists in the assessment of surface and near-surface conditions in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Straits, managers and scientists need profile data collected through the full water column to gain a better understanding of how potential petroleum contaminants are spreading throughout the basin (at all depths). A comprehensive assessment of the interactions between the major oceanographic features associated with the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Straits (Loop Current, Loop Current Eddy, Florida Current, frontal eddies, etc.) and these contaminants is needed to determine potential risks for downstream areas. These data are also needed for validation and improvement of 3D
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 165 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
7/21/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal, Offshore
RAPID: Research Evaluati on of the nearterm impact of the Deepwat er Horizon blowout to the South
7/15/1 7/14/11 0
Ecosystem NRDA health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs Oil spill NSF modeling and tracking, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
Unkno Felipe. wn Arzay us@no aa.gov This is a cruise on the NOAA ship Nancy Foster to sample and assess deepwater coral, reef, and chemosynthetic communities for the Natural Resources Damage Assessment process. It will increase baseline data and document injury on these communities through photo-surveys and tissue sampling. University of Claire B. 305- cparis Miami Paris 421- @rsm This project aims at assessing the impact of the oil 4219 as.mia entrained in the Loop Current to South Florida. A mi.edu multi-scale numerical framework, the Connectivity Modeling System (CMS) is used to nest the highest resolution Ocean Predictions Systems available yet for the region (1-4km HYCOM products) to simulate (1) the formation of surface slicks and subsurface oil plumes and their pathways to the Loop Current, and (2) the effect of hurricanes on the redistribution of the oil. We will generate statistical estimates of the nearand mid-term impacts of the oil-mixture to the coastal and pelagic environment.
166 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Mass Research Spectral Characte rization of WaterSoluble Oil and Dispersa nts From the Deepwat er Horizon Oil Spill
6/15/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal, Offshore
WHOI
ekuja winski @who i.edu During expulsion from the primary leak, transport and weathering, water-soluble components of the crude oil are slowly dissolving into the seawater. The composition and reactivity of these components are poorly constrained but affect the impact of this spill on marine life and ecosystem dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico. We will use ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry to assess the water-soluble component of the crude oil and dispersants along temporal and spatial gradients near the active spill. Our results can be integrated with other chemical and biological data to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the weathering of this oil spill.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 167 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Formati Research, on, Monitoring Persiste nce and Mobility of Oil Emulsio ns after Major Spills at Sea
7/1/10 6/30/11
WET Labs has developed prototype in-situ instrumentation capable of measuring spectral fluorescence (the excitation emission fluorometer (XMF) and the spectral fluorescence sensor (SAFire)) will be provided to researchers in the Gulf for in-situ studies. Excitation emission matrices provide a fingerprinting technique that can distinguish between different types of crude oil, crude mixed with dispersant, breakdown products, biological metabolites, and other natural dissolved organic material (CDOM).To augment understanding of in-situ optical measurements made in the Gulf, field and synthetic crude oil samples and their breakdown products will be analyzed in a controlled laboratory setting using an advanced bench-top spectrofluorometer. Insights gained from field and lab studies will be synthesized to better understand the fate of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill and to develop crude oil specific sensors. (305)3 tansel Immediate short term research effort focus on 48 b@fiu. integrated analysis of data from satellite images of 2928 edu surface slick size and patterns, weather conditions (i.e., wind, temperature), and marine conditions (wave height from NOAA Bouy data). The research objectives are: 1. Investigate emulsification rates and patterns of large oils spills at sea (immediate short term); 2. Characterize persistence profile and mobility of emulsified oil at sea (short and long term); 3. Determine critical emulsion formation and transport characteristics based on field observations in South Florida marine and coastal waters and data in the Gulf coastal areas and marine environment.
168 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 169 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
170 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 171 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
172 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 173 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
174 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 175 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
176 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Benjamin (508) bvanm Natural microbial degradation plays an important role Van 289- ooy@ in the remediation of crude oil released to the marine Mooy 2462 whoi.e environment. One important characteristic of the du Deepwater Horizon oil release that could limit microbial degradation rates is that the oil is surfacing in waters that are highly depleted in available nutrients; microbes need these nutrients in order to grow and degrade oil. Although there have been comparatively few studies on N and P limitation of oil degradation since the 1980s, in the intervening time there have been major advances in our ability to assess the identity, activity and nutrient-limitation status of microbes in seawater; most of the early work centered on simply tracking the disappearance of oil over time, but now we have the ability to monitor the behavior of the microbial community in parallel. With funding through this Grant for Rapid Response Research (RAPID), a team of microbial biogeochemists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will examine how microbial heterotrophy, nutrients, and petroleum compounds in the oil spill interact. They posit that the obvious potential for nutrient limitation to impact the degradation of oil from the Deepwater Horizon release warrants an immediate, targeted assessment of this issue in the Gulf of Mexico using up-to-date microbial and molecular methods. The study will achieve three objectives: 1) assess the degree to which microbes in the Gulf of Mexico are stressed by the unavailability of nutrients both inside and outside of areas contaminated by Deepwater Horizon oil; 2) examine the relationship between nutrient stress and the microbial degradation rate of Deepwater Horizon oil; 3) specifically determine whether oil degradation rates are stimulated by lecithin, a plant-derived, non-toxic, hydrophobic N- and P-containing organic nutrient. Broader impacts The Deepwater Horizon oil release is an event of historic significance that has the potential to severely negatively impact the environmental quality and economic competitiveness of our nation. The primary benefit of the proposed work will be to reveal potential biogeochemical barriers to microbial oil degradation that might be overcome through novel remediation efforts. In addition, by conducting measurements collected by the lead investigator in GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 177 2002, the project will have the secondary benefit of BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL identifying perturbations in the phosphorous field that will be propagated throughout the food web, including Gulf of Mexico fisheries.
Immuno Monitoring logical Assessm ent of Fish from the Gulf of Mexico: Effects of the Deepwat er Horizon Oil Spill
Ongoing Ongoing
Coastal, Offshore
Toxicology, NSF, College of Impact on life MSU, NGI Veterinary stages of Medicine, aquatic Mississippi animals State University and Northern Gulf Institute
Stephen 662Pruett, 325Lora 1130 PetrieHanson, Jan Chamber s, Peter Allen, Larry Hanson, Mark Lawrenc e
178 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Monitoring
6/1/89 Ongoing
Coastal, Offshore
USACE
Ken Dunton
3617496744
USF: Research, Deepwat Monitoring er Horizon Oil Spill Impact and Ecosyste m Assessm ent
6/23/1 Ongoing 0
Coastal, Offshore
Oil spill USF modeling and tracking, Ecosystem health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Toxicology, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
7275531041
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 179 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
180 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 181 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Docume Monitoring nting impacts of the subsea plume using Gulf SERPEN T ROV surveys Biologic Research al Impacts of Oil and Dispersa nt on Fish Fauna of
9/1/10 8/31/11
1.00 Offshore
Ecosystem BP-GRI; and BP-LSU community structure, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals
LSU School of Mark 225 the Coast and Benfield 578Environment 6372
Ongoing Ongoing
Offshore
Dispersants, Toxicology
BP-LSU
182 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Ecosystem FL-FWC health and indicators, Ecosystem and community structure, Trophic dynamics and food webs, Impact on life stages of aquatic animals Restoration Florida Sea Grant
We have examined reef fish community structure and population dynamics at 27 artificial reef sites located 25-35 km off the coast of Pensacola, FL since fall 2004. Sites are of three designs and are in water depths of 27-41 m. Sites will serve as an index of multi-year variability in reef fish community and recruitment dynamics to assess potential effects of oil on the shelf. University of Eric Florida Triplett Unkno ewt@ wn ufl.edu
This project will assess halophilic archaeal abundance and diversity from the coastline to the center of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Lab experiments will test the ability af archaea assoicated with the spill to degrade petroleum.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 183 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Research
6/16/1 12/31/1 0 0
0.54 Offshore
Monitoring
5/27/1 0
6/4/10
0.00 Offshore
Unknown
Unkno jay.gri wn mes@ The objectives of the study are: 1) examine bacterial usm.e interactions and molecular responses to oil and du, dispersant, 2) quantify bacterial growth and Kevin. respiration rates in oil/dispersant affected and Dillon unaffected surface waters, and 3) characterize the @usm. biogeochemical state of surface waters in affected and edu unaffected areas. NGI, BP- University of Alan Unkno alan.sh GRI Southern Shiller, wn iller@ For this task, we will examine both direct and indirect Mississippi Laodong usm.e chemical effects associated with oil leaking from the Guo du, damaged Macondo well. By direct effects, we refer to laodon the distribution and transformation of the crude oil g.guo itself as well as associated components such as the @usm. trace metals nickel and vanadium, which are known to edu be enriched in crude oil (e.g. Speight, 1991). By indirect effects, we mean the changes in chemical distributions resulting from the effect of the oil on critical geochemical processes such as inhibition of the air-sea of oxygen by surface slicks. NOAA No value No value Unkno Unkno provided provided wn wn NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter and R/V Weatherbird II. The specific focus of the project was to survey the area within 20 nm of the Deepwater Horizon site looking for oil in the water column. Project used EK-60 sonar to map subsurface layers in a pattern that radiated from known areas where sub-surface oil existed. Additionally, water samples were taken, and drifters and XBTs were deployed near the Deepwater Horizon site.
184 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Deepwat Research, er Monitoring Horizon Oil Spill: Offshore Survey of Benthos and Overlyin g Waters
8/12/1 Ongoing 0
Offshore
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 185 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
186 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Christop 850.69 koenig Red grouper (Epinephelus morio) act as ecological her 7.4120 @bio.f engineers to enhance and maintain biologicallyKoenig, su.edu, diverse communities across the continental shelf to Markus mhuet the shelf edge (Coleman and Koenig 2010, Coleman et Huettel, tel@fs al. 2010). On the NEGOM shelf edge, they construct in Felicia u.edu, carbonate sands cone-shaped excavations (pits, 6 m Coleman colem across, 2 m deep), the areal density of which in an@bi Steamboat Lumps Marine Reserve is about 250 per o.fsu.e km2 (Scanlon et al. 2005)(Figure 3) and the biological du diversity of which is significantly greater than that in the surrounding environment. Pits are used as refugia by planktivorous fishes that forage in the upper water column and deposit feces in and around the pits thereby coupling pelagic and benthic environment through trophic energy transfer; by sessile invertebrates as settlement sites; and by several other fishery species as nursery habitat. Thus, the grouper provides an important keystone role . This species also is highly productive and important in an economic sense because it supports roughly two-thirds of the entire grouper catch in the United States (Schirripa et al. 1999). Because of these dual roles, we are moved to investigate the impact of oil on these unique features. The pits act as natural sediment traps, and we suspect that they also accumulate crude oil particles that settle out from the water column or are transported by currents along the sea bed. The carbonate sand is sufficiently porous to act as a sponge, soaking up crude oil droplets that result from dispersant application. This enrichment, exacerbated by grouper digging activity, could change the physical and biogeochemical characteristics of the sand. For instance, by binding sand particles, the oil changes the size distribution of the sediment and the permeability of the sediment to water flow and O2 distribution, thereby decreasing aerobic degradation rates of embedded oil. If bottom water flows are reduced in the protected environment of the pit, then toxic substances released during oil degradation could accumulate at higher concentrations in the pit compared to those in the surrounding environment. This could have a negative community-level effect by driving down diversity and abundance as toxic compounds accumulate. There may be direct population-level physiological impacts on red GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 187 grouper, who come in direct contact with polluted BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL sediment while transporting sediment from the center of the pit, the presumed zone of greatest contamination, to the pit edge, where they forcibly expel sediment through their mouth and gill chambers (Coleman et al. 2010). Gills are the site of maximum uptake of lipophilic compounds (Randall et al. 1998),
Research, Monitoring
5/1/10 Ongoing
Offshore
Research
7/9/10
8/7/10
0.08 Offshore
NOAAOAR
No value provided
This project uses an eddy-resolving ocean model to predict potential long term effects of dissolved oil on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf Stream. No value Unkno Unkno Three months after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil provided wn wn spill, and before extensive oil impacts reach shelf-edge reefs in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research and Technology (CIOERT) is conducting a rapid response, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional expedition to assess the impacts of the DWH oil spill on Florida's mesophotic and deepwater ecosystems. CIOERT's expertise, tools, and technologies will address critical research needs associated with the DWH oil spill and potential impacts on the health of diverse ecosystems off Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Learn more at expedition web site -cioert.org/flosee.
188 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
This research cruise sought to characterize the vertical and horizontal characteristics of subsurface oil near the oil wellhead and within the loop current. Water samples, fluorescence measurements, plankton samples, XBT and CTD deployments, and acoustical sampling were undertaken. Project in conjunction with NOAA, EPA, USCG, WHOI, UNH, USF, MBARI, and LSU. NSF Colorado School of Mines Amadeu 303K. Sum 2733873 asum @min es.edu The focus of this proposed project is to obtain experimental data needed in strategies currently contemplated to prevent gas hydrate formation at the oil/gas leaking from the Deepwater Horizon well system, as well as other future deepwater oil developments. The effect of thermodynamic inhibitors being considered, such as methanol and monoethylene glycol on hydrate formation conditions and rates in the presence of water-in-oil emulsion + brine systems will be measured using a high pressure differential calorimeter and a stirred high pressure autoclave cell. These measurements will provide new and critical information to establishing the effectiveness of these widely used control strategies for hydrate formation in deepwater oil developments.
RAPID: Research Gas Hydrate Formati on and Inhibitio n at the Conditio ns Encount ered in the Gulf of Mexico Oil Leak from the Deepwat er Horizon Well RAPID: Research Collabor ative Researc h: Deepwat er
7/15/1 7/14/11 0
1.00 Offshore
7/1/10 6/30/11
1.00 Offshore
NSF
Passow, Uta
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 189 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
190 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
192 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
194 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
196 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
198 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 199 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
200 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
202 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 203 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
204 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 205 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
206 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 207 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
208 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
210 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
212 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
This project is working to model bioaccumulation and developmental toxicity to oil remediation approaches in fishes.
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214 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX J
CRITICAL HABITAT: FLORIDA MANATEE
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216 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX K
CRITICAL HABITAT: GREEN SEA TURTLE
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 217 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
218 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX L
CRITICAL HABITAT: HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 219 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
220 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX M
CRITICAL HABITAT: SMALLTOOTH SAWFISH
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 221 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
222 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX N
CRITICAL HABITAT: GULF STURGEON
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 223 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
224 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX O
CRITICAL HABITAT: ELKHORN AND STAGHORN CORALS
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 225 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
226 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX P
CRITICAL HABITAT: PIPING PLOVER
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 227 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
228 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX Q
CRITICAL HABITAT: WHOOPING CRANE
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 229 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
230 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX R
CUMULATIVE ANIMAL OBSERVATIONS
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 231 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Cumulative Sea Turtle Observations Through October 19th 2010 Source: NOAA
Cumulative Marine Mammals Strandings Through October 19th 2010 Source: NOAA
232 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
Deepwater Horizon MC252 Documented Marine Mammals Through October 18th 2010 Source: NOAA
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 233 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX S
BIRD IMPACT DATA
234 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/Bird%20Data%20Individual%2012142 010.pdf
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 235 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
236 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 237 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
238 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX T
HABITAT RANGE: SPERM WHALE
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 239 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
240 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX U
HABITAT RANGE: LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 241 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
242 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX V
HABITAT RANGE: ATLANTIC TUNA
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 243 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
244 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
APPENDIX W
HABITAT RANGE: WARSAW GROUPER
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE 245 BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
246 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE EFFECTS OF THE BPS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL