Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Bioavailable Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Gulf of Mexico Coastal Waters

Abstract

An estimated 4.1 million barrels of oil and 2.1 million gallons of dispersants were released into the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. There is a continued need for information about the impacts and long-term effects of the disaster on the Gulf of Mexico. The objectives of this study were to assess bioavailable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the coastal waters of four Gulf Coast states that were impacted by the spill. For over a year, beginning in May 2010, passive sampling devices were used to monitor the bioavailable concentration of PAHs. Prior to shoreline oiling, baseline data were obtained at all the study sites, allowing for direct before and after comparisons of PAH contamination. Significant increases in bioavailable PAHs were seen following the oil spill, however, pre-oiling levels were observed at all sites by March, 2011. A return to elevated PAH concentrations, accompanied by a chemical fingerprint similar to that observed while the site was being impacted by the spill, was observed in Alabama in summer, 2011. Chemical forensic modeling demonstrated that elevated PAH concentrations are associated with distinctive chemical profiles.

Effects of Exposure of Pink Shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum, Larvae to Macondo Canyon 252 Crude Oil and the Corexit Dispersant

“…This is in contrast to 96 h LC 50 PAH values, in which little difference in toxicity was seen for WAFs and CEWAFs. In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon event, reported concentrations of TPAHs in May 2010 varied greatly dependent on site and sampling depth and ranged from 0 to 146 mg L´1 at the wellhead, 0 to 0.9 mg L´1 in field collected WAFs, 0 to 18 mg L´1 in field collected CEWAFs, and 0 to 0.17 µg L´1 in shoreline samples [45][46][47]. Following capping of the well in July concentrations in collected sample were significantly lower at all sites and depths.…”

Large Oil Spill Classification Using Sar Images Based on Spatial Histogram

“…The extent of the surface oil spill varied widely from day to day because of changes in wind patterns and ocean currents (Cleveland et al, 2010). The estimated amount of oil spilled was 4.1 million barrels of oil that contains around 2.1 × 10 10 of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which is a toxic material arming wildlife and humans (Allan, 2012). Smith et al (2011) estimated the economic impact of the event to be 36.9$ billion.…”

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons a Constituent of Petroleum: Presence and Influence in the Aquatic Environment

“…Of course, oil spills are well-known examples of PAH contamination in the aquatic environment. Unfortunately, many cases of studies are reported in the literature from different parts of the world, such as the Gulf of Mexico in [94], the Mediterranean Sea [95], the Spanish coasts [96], and the Philippines islands [97].…”