http://www.pennenergy.com/index/petroleum/display/1225558377/articles/pennenergy/petroleum/offshore/2012/june/researchers-track.html?cmpid=EnlDailyPetroJune272012

June 26, 2012

A new report from researchers at the University of Florida illustrates that the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill contributed significantly to the destruction of marshes in Louisiana, according to The Washington Post.

Led by professor Brian Silliman, the group investigated the rate of erosion at marshes in the state that were exposed to substantial amounts of oil compared to those that saw relatively minimal exposure.

They found that the oiled marshes eroded at twice the usual rate for the state’s marshes, as the marshes’ heavy grasses died and their roots ceased to hold together the banks of loose soil. However, the presence of the grasses did limit exposure in the area, as oil became trapped within the vegetation.

While the impact from the spill was significant, Silliman noted that the long-term effects of changes to the Mississippi river and rising sea levels were having a more dramatic impact on the marshes, but the research provides a better understanding of the impact oil spills can have on certain sensitive coastal regions.

The region has also moved past the incident to an extent, as Bloomberg reports BP recently won new oil leases near the destroyed rig.

An analysis of the impact of the Gulf oil spill can be found at PennEnergy’s Research area.

Special thanks to Richard Charter