title: Distribution and concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons associated with the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Gulf of Mexico.
abstract: We examined the geographic extent of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in sediment, seawater, biota, and seafood during/after the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (April 20-July 15, 2010; 28.736667°N, -88.386944°W). TPH, PAHs, and 12 compound classes were examined, particularly C1-benzo(a)anthracenes/chrysenes, C-2-/C-4-phenanthrenes/anthracenes, and C3-naphthalenes. Sediment TPH, PAHs, and all classes peaked near Pensacola, Florida, and Galveston, Texas. Seawater TPH peaked off Pensacola; all of the above classes peaked off the Mississippi River, Louisiana and Galveston. Biota TPH and PAHs peaked near the Mississippi River; C-3 napthalenes peaked near the spill site. Seafood TPH peaked near the spill site, with PAHs and all classes peaking near Pensacola. We recommend that oil concentrations continued to be monitored in these media well after the spill has ceased to assist in defining re-opening dates for fisheries; closures should be maintained until hydrocarbon levels are deemed within appropriate limits.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), 8124 Hwy. 56, Chauvin, LA 70344, USA. psammarco@lumcon.edu
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Sammarco
authors.forename: Steve R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kolian
authors.forename: Richard A F
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Warby
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bouldin
authors.forename: Wilma A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Subra
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005398:Fisheries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005431:Florida; D060851:Gulf of America; D008145:Louisiana; D008922:Mississippi; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis*; D059392:Petroleum Pollution; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D017747:Seafood / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D013781:Texas; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: BP/Deepwater Horizon; Gulf of Mexico; Oil spill; Petroleum hydrocarbons; Seafood; Sediment