What happened to the BP well in the Gulf of Mexico?
On 19 September 2010, National Incident Commander Thad Allen declared the well "effectively dead" and said that it posed no further threat to the Gulf. In May 2010, BP admitted they had "discovered things that were broken in the sub-surface" during the "top kill" effort.
How many dolphins are in the Gulf of Mexico?
The bottlenose dolphin is the only species found in all Gulf coastal habitats. There are an estimated 10,000 bottlenose dolphins in these coastal waters although the exact number is unknown. In most cases, the other species live far from land in deep Gulf of Mexico waters. How many dolphins are in Barataria Bay?
What is the goal of the Gulf of Mexico dolphin program?
An important goal of this cooperative effort is to assess the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and response activities on the dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico. What is going on with dolphin strandings in the Gulf of Mexico?
Are there stillborn dolphins in Barataria Bay?
^ Nelson, Karen (22 February 2011). "Spike Reported in Number of Stillborn Dolphins on Coast". SunHerald.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011. ^ "Half of bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay were seriously ill or dying in 2011, new study finds". NOLA. December 2013. ^ Kaufman, Leslie (23 March 2012).
How many animals did the BP oil spill affect?
We found that the spill likely harmed or killed about 82,000 birds of 102 species; about 6,165 sea turtles; as many as 25,900 marine mammals; and a vast (but unknown) number of fish — from the great bluefin tuna to our nation's smallest seahorse — plus oysters, crabs, corals and other creatures.
How were dolphins affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?
We learned that dolphins in Barataria Bay and Mississippi Sound, which were exposed to oil, suffered significant health effects. These effects included lung disease from inhalation and aspiration of oil, impaired stress response, and compromised immune function. They may have led to increased infection and disease.
How did the BP oil spill affect Gulf Coast wildlife?
The Center for Biological Diversity estimates that the oil spill killed or harmed approximately 82,000 birds as well as more than 6,000 sea turtles and 25,000 marine mammals, such as various species of dolphins.
How did BP violate the Clean Water Act?
At the end of last month, the Gulf Restoration Network, Louisiana Environmental Action Network and Environment America sent a formal notice letter to BP that charges the company with violating the act because it has discharged oil into the gulf, and failed to measure the oil's plume and flow and to remove the oil.
Is the Deepwater Horizon still leaking?
One oil well off the southeastern coast of Louisiana, owned by Taylor Energy, has been leaking since 2004, spilling between 300 and 700 barrels per day. The well's reserves could keep it leaking for the next 100 years if it isn't capped, meaning it will one day eclipse the Deepwater Horizon spill in terms of volume.
Could the Deepwater Horizon been prevented?
A culture of tighter safety and more experienced regulators might have prevented the BP Deepwater Horizon leak. But equipment modifications and new technology will be needed to minimize the risk of such deepwater oil leaks.
Who was responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?
BPU.S. District Judge Carl Barbier said BP was mostly to blame for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster, which killed 11 people and spewed oil into the water for 87 days. Barbier attributed 67% of the fault to BP, 30% to Transocean, which owned the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, and 3% to Halliburton, the cement contractor.
What did BP do wrong in the oil spill?
The report issued Thursday by the US chemical safety board zeroes in on what went wrong with the blowout preventer and blames bad management and operations. They found faulty wiring in two places, a dead battery and a bent pipe in the hulking device.
How many animals died in the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
The Exxon Valdez disaster dramatically changed all of that, taking a major toll on wildlife. It killed an estimated 250,000 sea birds, 3,000 otters, 300 seals, 250 bald eagles and 22 killer whales.
Did anyone from BP go to jail for Deepwater Horizon?
(Reuters) - A former BP Plc BP. L rig supervisor who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill was sentenced to 10 months of probation on Wednesday, concluding a federal criminal case in which no one received prison time over the disaster.
How much did BP pay survivors of Deepwater Horizon?
On Feb. 15, 2018, the Mexican government agreed to the $25.5 million payout from BP, in return for settling their lawsuit, clearing the transnational energy giant of all damages to Mexican waters.
Is BP still paying for Deepwater Horizon?
The vast majority of the tab – about $69 billion – has been picked up by BP. The remainder has been split among Transocean, which owned the Deepwater Horizon, and BP's drilling partners Anadarko and MOEX.
What are the symptoms of a Barataria dolphin?
The Barataria Bay dolphins that have been examined are underweight, have low hormone levels, low blood sugar, and some show signs of liver damage. Scientists from NOAA and its partners are working to figure out the cause.
How many times did dolphins strand in Alabama in 2011?
Dolphin strandings have also remained elevated in Mississippi and Alabama in 2010 and 2011. Strandings in 2011 for Mississippi and Alabama were 5 times and 4 times the 2002-2009 historical average respectively.
Can dolphins eat oil?
There are multiple ways that dolphins could have been exposed to the oil—they might have inhaled vapors at the water’s surface, incidentally ingested oil from sediments or water while feeding, or have been exposed by eating whole fish, including internal organs and fluids such as liver and bile, which can harbor chemical contaminants. These are not likely routes of exposure for most people. Most recreational activities like swimming and scuba diving are safe.
What marine mammals live in the Gulf of Mexico?
Bottlenose Dolphins and Sperm Whales. Marine mammals that inhabit the Gulf of Mexico, like Bottlenose Dolphins and Sperm Whales, can be severely impacted by the presence of oil in the water.
How many sea turtles are there in the Gulf of Mexico?
Of the seven remaining sea turtle species on Earth, five are present in the Gulf of Mexico.
Why are the turtles in the Gulf of Mexico contaminated?
When dispersants are used to drive floating oil to the bottom of the Gulf, these seabeds become contaminated. Inhalation of toxic fumes from the BP oil spill when the turtles surface to breath can also prove deadly. All of the turtle species in the Gulf use the soft sand beaches in the region to build their nests.
What is the purpose of dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico?
One of the components of the clean up strategy is the use of “dispersants” to break up the surface oil and prevent it from washing ashore. Instead, the oil would sink to the bottom of the Gulf, where Bluefin Tuna and other spawning fish lay their eggs. pinterest-pin-it. pinterest-pin-it. Brown Pelicans.
What happened to the Deepwater Horizon oil rig?
In April 2010, the BP-owned Deepwater Horizon oil rig failed, killing 11 workers and releasing an unprecedented amount of crude oil into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In the months that followed, efforts to cap the leak failed, and the oil began reaching shore in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. With hurricane season looming, the forecast was dire – hurricane force winds and waves could force the oil inland and alter local underwater currents, possibly spreading the contamination well beyond the Gulf.
When do birds migrate to the Gulf of Mexico?
The timing of the Gulf oil spill corresponds to the migration period for many bird species traveling between North and South America in the late spring and early summer. Many migratory species use the Gulf region as a resting area on their long journeys, and they must deal with the contamination of the small islands, marshes and shoreline beaches they frequent. It is not known just how the toxic smoke caused by controlled burning of surface oil will affect the birds as they pass through it.
Is the Gulf of Mexico endangered?
Despite the clear problems caused by over-fishing in the waters of the world, the species was left off of the Endangered Species list, and will almost certainly be fished into ex tinction as their population is demolished for use as food. The Gulf oil spill came at the worst possible time of year.
What are the different types of dolphins in Mexico?
Here are 9 incredible types of dolphins in Mexico: 1. Bottlenose Dolphin. This is the most commonly known dolphin. If you ever go on a dolphin swim in Cancun, this would be the dolphin you’d meet.
How long do bottlenose dolphins stay in the same area?
Depending on the climate, they may stay in the same area for a while. They’ve even been known to cooperate with local fisherman. When they dive—it’s rarely for longer than a few minutes. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a bottlenose dolphin to approach a small boat.
What is the name of the dolphin that looks like a dolphin?
Tursiops ( meaning ‘looks like a dolphin’) truncates (shortened) 2. Clymene Dolphin. 9 Incredible types of dolphins in Mexico Clymene. This dolphin is known for having black ‘lips’. It is actually a hybrid between the spinner and striped dolphin.
Why are dolphins so popular in the Caribbean?
The Mexican Caribbean Sea is filled with spectacular life. Everyone’s favorite? The dolphin! Why? Because they’re smart, friendly, and social. They even seem to enjoy our company as well. There are even stories of dolphins rescuing people from shark attacks!
What do dolphins eat?
Mainly fish and squid. Like all dolphins, they not only eat food, but they ‘eat’ they’re hydration as well. All of their water comes from their diet.
How long can a child stay underwater?
Adults jump out halfway, and slap the side of their heads against the water. They can stay underwater for 30 minutes. Only in rare instances have they been observed bow-riding.
Where do dolphins live?
Location: With the exception of the Gulf of Mexico, this dolphin stays mainly in the Pacific and Indian oceans. They also are rarely seen inshore, preferring to stay farther out.
What happened to the Deepwater Horizon?
On April 20, 2010, the oil drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, operating in the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, exploded and sank resulting in the death of 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon and the largest spill of oil in the history of marine oil drilling operations. 4 million barrels of oil flowed from the damaged Macondo well over an 87-day period, before it was finally capped on July 15, 2010. On December 15, 2010, the United States filed a complaint in District Court against BP Exploration & Production and several other defendants alleged to be responsible for the spill.
How much was the BP oil spill settlement?
This webpage provides information and materials on EPA’s enforcement response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, settlements with several of the defendants, including the record-setting settlement with BP Exploration & Production for an unprecedented $5.5 billion Clean Water Act penalty and up to $8.8 billion in natural resource damages.
Does the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cover all legal actions?
This webpage is limited to EPA’s enforcement-related activities only, and does not cover all legal or other actions against BP Exploration & Production and other parties for the spill, such as private party/class action settlements for medical claims and economic damages, or other actions against those responsible for the spill. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has established the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill website for this purpose. In addition, links for additional information on the spill, cleanup activities and other responses are provided below.
How much did the Gulf of Mexico research initiative cost?
Funds from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative—and more recently, the $16 billion settlement between BP and the U.S. federal and state governments—have enabled a legion of researchers to undertake long-term projects investigating how the spill affected Gulf wildlife.
How many species of marine mammals are there in the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf of Mexico is home to 21 species of marine mammal, most of which humans rarely see—so scientists have to listen. The sounds these animals emit can reveal which species are still active many years after the spill, and which have declined.
How long did the Deepwater Horizon oil spill last?
While the world watched, helpless, oil gushed into one of the planet’s most biodiverse marine habitats for 87 long days . Boats use absorbent booms to corral the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in May 2010. Photograph by Tyrone Turner, Nat Geo Image Collection. Please be respectful of copyright.
What corals were in the Gulf of Mexico?
Deepwater corals in the Gulf of Mexico, such as these bubblegum and bamboo corals , were well studied before the spill, giving scientists a better idea of how the oil harmed them. Photograph courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2014. Please be respectful of copyright.
What happened on April 20, 2010?
New Orleans, Louisiana On April 20, 2010, an explosion at the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig released over 130 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. It was the biggest oil spill ever in U.S. waters and remains one of the worst environmental disasters in world history. Eleven rig workers lost their lives.
What species of fish have rebounded?
Some species, such as brown pelicans, have rebounded, while long-lived species have been hindered for generations. Still, data is scarce. New Orleans, Louisiana On April 20, 2010, an explosion at the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig released over 130 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
What is the most gregarious cetacean?
But after a decade of close monitoring, Smith feels that she and colleagues have a clear picture of what is going on with that most gregarious of cetaceans, the bottlenose dolphin —and it’s grim.
What did Obama say about the Gulf Coast oil spill?
In his 15 June speech, Obama said, "This oil spill is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced... Make no mistake: we will fight this spill with everything we've got for as long as it takes. We will make BP pay for the damage their company has caused. And we will do whatever's necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this tragedy." Interior Secretary Ken Salazar stated, "Our job basically is to keep the boot on the neck of British Petroleum." Some observers suggested that the Obama administration was being overly aggressive in its criticisms, which some BP investors saw as an attempt to deflect criticism of his own handling of the crisis. Rand Paul accused President Obama of being anti-business and "un-American".
Why was BP responsible for the oil spill?
In September 2014, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that BP was primarily responsible for the oil spill because of its gross negligence and reckless conduct. In April 2016, BP agreed to pay $20.8 billion in fines, the largest corporate settlement in United States history.
How big was the oil spill in 2010?
By early June 2010, oil had washed up on 125 miles (201 km) of Louisiana's coast and along the Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama coastlines.
When did the Gulf of Mexico oil spill occur?
Oil spill that began in April 2009 in the Gulf of Mexico. This article is about the oil spill itself. For the initial explosion, see Deepwater Horizon explosion. For other related articles, see Deepwater Horizon (disambiguation). Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
What happens to bluefin tuna after the oil spill?
A 2014 study of the effects of the oil spill on bluefin tuna funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Stanford University, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium and published in the journal Science, found that the toxins from oil spills can cause irregular heartbeats leading to cardiac arrest. Calling the vicinity of the spill "one of the most productive ocean ecosystems in the world", the study found that even at very low concentrations "PAH cardiotoxicity was potentially a common form of injury among a broad range of species in the vicinity of the oil." Another peer-reviewed study, released in March 2014 and conducted by 17 scientists from the United States and Australia and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that tuna and amberjack that were exposed to oil from the spill developed deformities of the heart and other organs that would be expected to be fatal or at least life-shortening. The scientists said that their findings would most likely apply to other large predator fish and "even to humans, whose developing hearts are in many ways similar." BP responded that the concentrations of oil in the study were a level rarely seen in the Gulf, but The New York Times reported that the BP statement was contradicted by the study.
How many dolphins died in the BP spill?
Scientists estimate that this number may be up to 50 times higher than the number collected. The government has collected 128 dead or affected dolphins and whales whose harm was attributed to the BP spill, showing that at least 6,400 marine mammals may have actually been harmed.
How many fish have been killed by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill?
The widespread pollution from the BP oil spill caused fishing closures across 88,500 square miles. The Gulf of Mexico is home to more than 500 fish species, with new species continuing to be discovered. Oil and dispersed oil are toxic to all life stages of fish, and oil spills affect fish reproduction for at least decades. The BP disaster particularly threatens species that are already at risk of extinction such as Atlantic bluefin tuna, Gulf sturgeon, smalltooth sawfish and the dwarf seahorse. The oil spill occurred during the peak spawning months for the bluefin tuna, pushing this severely overfished species closer to the brink of extinction. The spill could still extirpate our nation's smallest seahorse, the one-inch long dwarf seahorse, from much of its range, as both oil and dispersants are toxic to seahorses and the seagrass they need to survive.
How much of the shoreline was affected by the Seahorse spill?
As for habitat: Besides destroying underwater areas, including substantial habitat for the rare dwarf seahorse, the spill oiled more than a thousand miles of shoreline, including beaches and marshes. This took a terrible toll on species like seagrass, beach mice and shorebirds. Read on for devastating details.
How many birds have been harmed by the BP oil spill?
BIRDS. More than 82,000 birds may have been harmed by the spill. At least 102 species of birds are known to have been harmed by the BP oil spill, including black skimmers, brown pelicans, clapper rails, common loons, laughing gulls, northern gannets and several species of tern. Oiled birds have been collected from west of Galveston, Texas, ...
What marine mammals were killed in the oil spill?
At least four species of marine mammals have been killed by the oil spill, including bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, melon-headed whales and sperm whales. Oiled marine mammals have been collected from west of Cameron, Texas, to Port St. Joe, Fla. Researchers reported carcasses washing up daily — half being stillborn or dead infant dolphins. This oil spill could impair marine mammal reproduction in the Gulf for decades, as some orca whales that were exposed to the Exxon Valdez oil spill haven’t been able to reproduce since that spill in 1989.
How much oil was spilled in the Deepwater Horizon?
The BP Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in 2010 spilled 205.8 million gallons of oil and 225,000 tons of methane into the Gulf of Mexico. Only about 25 percent of the oil was recovered, leaving more than 154 million gallons of oil at sea.
Do fiddler crabs get harmed by oil?
(Forty years after an oil spill off the coast of Massachusetts, fiddler crabs are still being harmed by persistent pollution.)
