Episode 304: After the Spill

The catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 may no longer make headline news, but the story is far from over. Oceanographers continue to study the long-term effects this disaster might have on marine ecosystems. Among them are the scientists from the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida, who have been studying the impacts of this spill from the beginning. Experts are analyzing water and sediment samples for hydrocarbon presence and toxicity and are studying the long-term effects the spill might have on a number of marine species. What impacts will low-level, chronic toxicity from oil and dispersants have on the environment? How long until the true extent of this disaster will be known?

Experts

Meet the experts featured in this episode.

Episode Photos

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The Florida Institute of Oceanography’s R/V Weatherbird II is equipped with advanced laboratories, oceanographic devices and sensor technologies.

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Researchers aboard the R/V Weatherbird II prepare to lower a water sampling device known as a CTD rosette.

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Aboard the R/V Weatherbird II, USF chief scientist Brian Donahue works on the multicore while Changing Seas Videographer Jeremy Nicholson films the action.

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University of South Florida College of Marine Science researcher Mary Abercrombie collects water samples retrieved by the CTD rosette, a water sampling device.

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Researchers collect water samples from the CTD rosette. The samples will be used in a variety of studies, ranging from hydrocarbon analysis to toxicity assays.

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FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute scientist Sue Murasko collects water samples from the CTD rosette, a water sampling device.

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Researchers on the R/V Weatherbird II collect sediment samples to study the impact the oil spill might have on the seafloor.

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Researchers on the R/V Weatherbird II prepare to lower the CTD rosette into the water.

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Researchers on the R/V Weatherbird II take position before lowering the CTD rosette sampler into the water.

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Researchers on the R/V Weatherbird II slowly lower the CTD rosette, a device used to collect water samples and take measurements such as conductivity, temperature, and depth.

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The CTD rosette collects water samples at various depths.

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Researchers use a device called a multicore to collect sediment samples. This allows them to study the impact the oil spill might have on the seafloor.

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Experts onboard the R/V Weatherbird II lower a sediment sampling device into the water.

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Experts onboard the R/V Weatherbird II prepare to lower the multicore into the water. This device collects sediment cores.

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Researchers aboard the R/V Weatherbird II collect sediment samples to study the impact the oil spill might have on the seafloor.

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Researchers prepare to lower the multicore to collect sediment samples while Videographer Jeremy Nicholson captures the action on camera.

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USF College of Marine Science experts Mary Abercrombie and Brian Donahue monitor CTD readings aboard the R/V Weatherbird II.

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USF researcher Mary Abercrombie uses Excitation Emission Matrix Spectroscopy to detect the presence of hydrocarbons in seawater.

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Researchers aboard the R/V Weatherbird II work day and night to maximize their time at sea.

Special Thanks:

Hotel Indigo
234 Third Avenue North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
(727) 822-4814

Hampton Inn &
Suites Islamorada
80001 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
(305) 664-0073

Image Credits

Changing Seas would like to thank the following individuals and institutions who kindly allowed their footage, images and other media to be used in this production:

ABCNEWS VideoSource

Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS)

Assure Controls, Inc.

Department of Marine Sciences
The University of Georgia

EXXON VALDEZ Oil Spill Trustee Council

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fish & Wildlife Research Institute

NASA/GSFC, MODIS Rapid Response

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Commerce

Specialist 1st Class Michael Watkins
United States Air Force

PBS NewsHour

USF College of Marine Science

Ocean Circulation Group

Brian Zielinski
Ernst Peebles
Kendra Daly
University of South Florida

U.S. Coast Guard:
Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Belson
Petty Officer 3rd Class Tom Atkeson
SSgt. Jose Contreras
Daniel Wilson
Shawn Eggert
Richard Brahm
Lt. Cmdr. Paul Rooney
Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann

United States Navy:
Specialist 2ndClass Justin Stumberg
Specialist 1st Class Woody Paschall

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Special Thanks:

Vickie Chachere

Brian Donahue

Crew of the Weatherbird II

Metcalf Institute for Marine
& Environmental Reporting

Scott Miles
Louisiana State University

Mandy Joye
University of Georgia

Bill Evelyn
University of Georgia

Ian MacDonald
Florida State University

Paula Scott
FWC/ Fish & Wildlife Research Institute

Patti Parson
Rebecca Jacobson
PBS NewsHour

Episode 304: After the Spill

Experts

Paula Coble, Ph.D.

David Hollander, Ph.D.

John H. Paul, Ph.D.

Ernst B. Peebles Ph.D.

Steven A. Murawski, Ph.D.

Kendra L. Daly, Ph.D.

Mary Abercrombie

William C. Hogarth, Ph.D.

Jenny Delaney

Special Thanks:

Image Credits

Special Thanks:

Web Extras

"After the Spill" web extra

Tour the R/V Weatherbird II

Funding for this episode of Changing Seas was provided by: