Study links deep-sea animal declines to Deepwater Horizon spill

The short version

• A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found animal populations in the northern Gulf of Mexico declined 60 to 85 percent after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and spill.[Wired]
• Researchers attributed the ecosystem collapse to the blowout after ruling out water temperature and oxygen levels.[Wired]
• The 2010 explosion killed 11 people, and the well spewed 4.9 million barrels of oil over 87 days.[Wired]
• BP agreed to a $20.8 billion settlement in 2016, including up to $8.8 billion for environmental restoration, and recovery remains uncertain.[Wired]

Key facts

• A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found animal populations in the northern Gulf of Mexico declined 60 to 85 percent in the three and a half years after the spill, with few signs of recovery since.[Wired]
• The researchers identified the Deepwater Horizon blowout as the most parsimonious explanation for the ecosystem collapse after ruling out water temperature and oxygen levels.[Wired]
• A transoceanic drilling rig operating for BP exploded on April 20, 2010, killing 11 people and triggering the largest accidental marine oil spill in history.[Wired]
• The broken well spewed oil and gas uncontrollably for 87 days, ejecting 4.9 million barrels of oil and releasing about 7.7 billion cubic feet of fossil gas into the deep sea.[Wired]
• State and federal agencies authorized BP to apply 1.84 million gallons of chemical dispersants.[Wired]
• In 2016, BP agreed to a $20.8 billion settlement, including up to $8.8 billion for environmental restoration.[Wired]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

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