The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Through the Lens of Human Health and the Ecosystem

Abstract

This review examines current research ascertaining the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on human health and ecosystems. Driven by the need to strategically focus research funding, the authors also assess the implications of those findings, and promote a transdisciplinary research agenda addressing critical gaps. Epidemiologic studies conducted in workers and vulnerable communities in the spill’s aftermath showed that non-chemical stressors affect resilience. Ecosystem-wise salt marsh species showed variability in structural and functional changes, attributed to species-specific tolerance, oil exposure, and belowground plant organs damage. Lacking baseline exposure assessment data hampers assessing the impact of chemical stressors. Research priorities include leveraging existing women/child dyads and worker cohorts to advance exposure characterization and counter early adverse effects in most vulnerable populations. Key policy gaps include mandated just-in-time emergency resources to ascertain immediate post-event exposures, and contemporary legislation addressing human- and ecosystem health in an integrated rather than silo fashion.

Determinants of vitamin D status among Black and White low-income pregnant and non-pregnant reproductive-aged women from Southeast Louisiana

“…The recruitment of this population was done through convenience sampling at a wide range of health and community facilities, which likely makes it more representative of exposure and effects in the community compared to studies of litigants or those referred for clinical evaluation [30, 33]. Although details of prenatal vitamin use were not collected, all women received prenatal care and standard prenatal care calls for prescription of prenatal vitamins (data not shown), which typically contain 400 IU–600 IU vitamin D [22, 25].…”

Oil Spills and Human Health: Contributions of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

“…With the notable exception of the ongoing large cohort studies, most of the human health research efforts external to GoMRI were supported by what appear to be one-time, multiyear funding, although a number of important studies were supported for multiple years (e.g., see Lichtveld et al, 2016). Yet, none of the funding agencies established ongoing core grant programs specifically targeted to human health effects of oil spills or other disasters.…”

Isolation and Identification of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria from Polluted Top Soil Samples in Oxford, Pennsylvania

“…For example, frequent cases of oil spillage in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria have resulted in the migration of people who can no longer depend on fishing for their livelihood (Ipingbemi, 2009). It is estimated that oil spillage in the same area has resulted in the loss of five to ten percent of the mangrove ecosystem as well as loss of farmlands (Ipingbemi, 2009).After the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, residents experienced negative impacts such as anxiety, stress, loss of work and income, and diminished tourism as visitors cancelled their vacations (Graham et al, 2016;Ulrich, 2011).Species such as dolphins, whales and turtles showed elevated rates of stranding (Lichtveld et al, 2016). Bottlenose dolphins had 8% higher mortality rates and 63% lower reproductive rates (Lichtveld et al, 2016).…”