Early images have showed definite damage to the corals near the Deepwater Horizon site
Scientists studying the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill gave a tour on media of their working laboratories aboard the Nautilus and the Endeavor. Much of their research has focused on the oil spill’s impact on coral reefs in the Gulf, theWLOX reports
One researcher says the area around the Deepwater Horizon site is probably the best surveyed section of sea floor in the world. Still, three years after the oil spill, they are just beginning to discover the extent of its impact.
The research vessel Nautilus uses a pair of remote operated vehicles or ROVs to explore coral reefs in deep water all around the oil spill site in the Gulf.
“We’ve been going back and taking pictures of the same corals, leaving physical markers on the floor, visiting the exact same coral colonies again and again, every three to four months since the spill occurred,” said Dr. Erik Cordes, the chief scientist aboard.
Early images showed definite damage to the corals near the Deepwater Horizon site. The follow-up study on the health of the coral continues with varying results.
Read more about what scientists have discovered so far at WLOX website
