The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
For this assignment, you are to produce a 2-3 page summary of the causes and effects of the
May 2010 Deepwater oil spill in the Gulf. You are encouraged to include photos, diagrams, and
maps; these items would add to the length of the assignment (don't turn in three pages of photos
with no writing!).
You can choose the direction to take with regard to the emphasis of the assignment. You can
explore the potential effects on wildlife; possible changes/reactions for energy and wildlife
management policy; etc. Make it your own!
Links for research
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Nature Conservancy work on restoration
Effects if the spill on sea life
Potential effects on fish and other ocean creatures (from Nature)
Concerns up and down the food chain (NY Times)
Satellite images of the Gulf oil spill (4-25-10)
Oil spill response (NOAA)
more on the oil spill - PBS
Options for stopping the leak and potentially-affected coastal areas
If it was my home - how the size of the oil spill compares to local geographic regions
More links - Louisiana Dept of Ed
Migratory birds at risk (video)
Explore the gulf ecosystem (interactive feature)
Gallery of images (National Geographic)
Geoplatform - real-time info about the response
Map the spill - images submitted by people
Prince Williams Oily Mess - a study of the cleanup effort after the 1989 Exxon Valdez
spill
Google Earth map of oil spills
Audubon - August 2010 special report
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Effects on birds - reason for hope
Moving from oil to renewable energy
Potential toxic effects of oil and dispersants on wildlife
An overview of Corexit - the dispersant used in the gulf
NOAA Office of Response and Restoration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Response and
Restoration provides scientific support for oil and chemical spill responses as well as damage
assessments in coastal waters. In addition, NOAA is currently providing the latest news relating
to the Gulf Oil Spill as well as fact sheets, publications and visuals. A special page for students
and teachers provides information and activities on oil spills and hazardous chemical accidents.
Unified Command for the Deepwater BP Oil Spill: This is the official website documenting
the cleanup response and efforts to cap the well. The site is transitioning to this new location.
American Bird Conservancy: Information on Bird Impacts from the Deepwater Horizon
Oil Spill
The American Bird Conservancy (ABC), an organization dedicated to conserving native wild
birds and their habitats throughout the Americas, has created a webpage dedicated to providing
the public with information on the impacts of the Gulf Oil Spill on birds. In addition to general
information, ABC provides the latest updates on how birds and bird habitat are affected as well
as suggestions for how the public can become involved in the clean-up and wildlife rescue
operations.
Encyclopedia of Earth: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
The Encyclopedia of Earth (EoE) is a free, searchable collection of articles written by scholars,
professionals, educators and experts on the Earth, its environments and their interaction with
society. The EoE's extensive article on the Gulf Oil Spill includes information on the magnitude
and extent of the spill, clean up efforts and ecological impacts as well as a review of past
disasters.
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Public Lands
This webpage from National Public Lands Day provides facts and information on the ways the
Gulf Oil Spill has affected our National Wildlife Refuges, National Parks and other public lands
in the United States, as well as ways to help.
The New York Times: Spill's Effects Underwater
Spill's Effects Underwater is a webpage of visuals from the New York Times that illustrate the
effects of oil underwater.
The Washington Post: What Oil Does to a Salt Marsh
What Oil Does to a Salt Marsh is a visual from the Washington Post illustrating how different
creatures in a salt marsh are affected by the presence of oil.
Lost legacy of the 1979 gulf oil spill