TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - It's been 7 years since an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform caused 5 million barrels of oil to spew into the Gulf of Mexico, yet researchers, led by Florida State University, continue to study the effects of the disaster.
A $2.8 million grant will help the team of scientists determine how to better react to future spills. They're interested in where the oil went and what processes are responsible for removing the oil.
Research revealed because the spill occurred during the summer season, the water and atmosphere are warmer helping to contain the oil. Scientists were surprised by how fast the oil on the surface disappeared. Evaporation and other processes were aided by the warm conditions.
The Florida State research funds will be used for the continuous study of the 2010 accident. They hope to learn where the oil will travel to and how fast it will move.
Specifically, how oil is transported to the bottom of the ocean and how wind and currents move the oil under water.
Long-term ecological heath is a major concern after the oil spill. By better understanding how different processes in the ocean impact the oil, experts hope to respond to future situations more effectively.
