Abstract
The changes in the metal concentrations in sediments from the eastern Gulf of Mexico OCS can be explained by the presence of a new source for these metals. These metals were released from the damaged Macondo Well which resulted in the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill during the spring of 2010. One-hundred and twenty sediment samples were collected during the fall months for the years 2008-2012 from the eastern OCS. The Tukey range test was used to compare measurement six metal concentrations between the relict sand deposits of the northern Gulf of Mexico OCS to the relict carbonate sediments off of western Florida OCS. Tests indicated that nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the seasonal average concentrations in the relict sand deposits after the spill. These higher concentrations are also reflected in the V to Ni ratio being at its lowest value in the relict sand (0.82) in the north, which is closer to the damaged well.
Highlights
Between April 20 and July 15, 2010, approximately 686,000 metric tons of crude oil was accidently released from the British Petroleum (BP) Deepwater Horizon well located in the Gulf of Mexico (Figure 1; Hoch, 2010)
This study investigated the presence of trace metal concentrations found in sea bottom sediments along the relict sand deposits off of Alabama-Florida shelf and the relict carbonate sand off of western Florida (Figure 2)
We propose that the rise was caused by the presence of a new source of metals during the spring and summer of 2010 that being the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Summary
Between April 20 and July 15, 2010, approximately 686,000 metric tons of crude oil was accidently released from the British Petroleum (BP) Deepwater Horizon well located in the Gulf of Mexico (Figure 1; Hoch, 2010). The damaged wellhead released between 1,670 to 2,670 metric tons of crude oil per day (Johnson and Torrice, 2010). BP sprayed over 4,670 metric tons of chemical dispersants on the sea surface and injected 2,600 metric tons at the well head to alleviate the spread of crude oil slicks in the Gulf of Mexico (Kujawinski et al, 2010). The spray resulted in dispersant being delivered at various concentrations throughout the surface and the upper water column. These environments range from an open marine system to the ever changing coast line
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