GoMRI eNews · Nov 15, 2016 · ← All issues
Welcome to the GoMRI eNews.

Keeping you current on emerging Gulf science and the people investigating the effects of oil spills on the environment and public health.

November 15, 2016                                                                    GoMRI eNews

Stories

Rapid Response Study Documents Marine Microbial Response to Hercules Gas Blowout

Research consortia involved in the GoMRI self-organized a rapid response to characterize the waters around the Hercules 265 rig. They found evidence of an immediate response from the surrounding environment’s microbial community to elevated methane concentrations.

Grad Student Pasparakis Looks to Fish Embryos for Long-Term Oil Spill Answers

Studies that investigate the effects of oil exposure on developing fish are typically conducted at otherwise non-stressful ambient conditions, which may result in conservative impact estimates. Christina Pasparakis is studying the combined effects of oil exposure and other environmental stressors to create a more comprehensive assessment of Deepwater Horizon impacts.

Sea Grant Releases Brochure on Oil Spill and Fish Lesions

The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative is pleased to announce a new informational brochure about the connection of Deepwater Horizon and fish lesions reported in the winter following the spill. The Sea Grant Oil Spill Outreach Team reviewed published science and worked with experts to develop this brochure for a broad range of audiences, particularly those who live and work across the Gulf Coast.

Study Advances Food Web Matrix for Improved Atlantis Ecosystem Model

Researchers analyzed diet information for 474 unique fish species to quantify likely contributions of prey to predators’ diets for an improved marine food web matrix model.

From the Archives

Grad Student Hamilton Hunts Oil Using Microbes

Posted on November 11, 2015
Bryan Hamilton never planned to be a microbiologist, but when the opportunity arose to study microbes that produce biosurfactant in response to oil exposure, he was drawn in completely.

Study Identifies Efficient Food-Grade Emulsifier as Dispersant Alternative

Posted on November 7, 2014
Scientists from the University of Maryland and Tulane University investigated the possibility of using food-grade materials for oil spill remediation.

Study Demonstrates Substantial Role of Mississippi River in Oil Transport

Posted on November 11, 2013
Scientists from the University of Miami used a high-resolution prediction model to study the relationship between the Mississippi River and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Publications
 
Study Introduces New Method to Generate Pseudocomponents for Modeling Water-Soluble Hydrocarbons 
Simulating gas-liquid-water partitioning and fluid properties of petroleum under pressure: Implications for deep-sea blowouts. Gros, J.; Reddy, C.M.; Nelson, R.K.; Socolofsky, S.A.; Arey, J.S. Environmental Science & Technology, 2016, 50 (14), pp 7397–7408
 
Study Explores Effect of Waves on the Transport and Spreading of Oil Droplets
Oil droplets transport due to irregular waves: Development of large-scale spreading coefficients. Geng, X.; Boufadel, M.C.; Ozgokmen, T.; King, T.; Lee, K.; Lu, Y.; Zhao, L. Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 104, Issues 1–2, 15 March 2016, Pages 279–289

Data
Connectivity Modeling System simulation of the Macondo Well Blowout evolution April through October 2010: The effects of circulation and wind-induced drift on subsea oil transport - Data Link

Wormcam deployments in Terrebonne Bay, LA, in 2012 and 2013 - Data Link

Temporal, Molecular-level Analysis of Barataria Bay sediments over a 4-year period (2011-2014) after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass spectrometry - Data Link 

Video
GoMRI RFP-V: Genomic Responses to Deepwater Horizon and high-throughput biological assays (Thomas)

GoMRI RFP-V: Genomic Responses to Deepwater Horizon and high-throughput biological assays (Thomas)
Project is lead by P.I. W. Kelley Thomas, University of New Hampshire.

Announcements
Conference Early Bird Registration Deadline Approaching! Wed Nov 23
Save $100 by registering now for the 2017 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference.l  Click here for details.

Congratulations! Dispatches From The Gulf Nominated for Emmy® Awards
The Screenscope documentary highlighting GoMRI-funded research and scientists has been nominated in two categories:  Best Topical Documentary and Best Cinematography.

Congratulations!  Dispatches From the Gulf Finalist in 2016 Blue Ocean Film Festival
The Screenscope documentary highlighting GoMRI-funded research and scientists is a finalist in the Broadcast Program category.
 

Project Activities
ACER Explores “Primary Production”
The “Word Wednesday” series discusses the concept of primary production, which refers to the amount of food that photosynthetic organisms create for their food webs using inorganic forms of carbon.
 
C-IMAGE Attends St. Petersburg Science Fest
Scientists hosted an activity for Tampa Bay school groups and a public booth for the 2016 Science Festival. Their booth included sediment coring, two types of origami folding, microscopes, and an NFWF C-SCAMP Detective video and posters.
 
CRGC Launches Student-Targeted Webinar Series
The series is intended for students working across all GoMRI-funded consortia. The inaugural webinar, titled “The Work of Research: Exploring Cross-Sector Career Paths,” introduces students to possible career paths they might pursue after completing their degrees. See the schedule of upcoming webinar topics here.
 
DEEPEND Kids Blog Features Bacteria Behind Bioluminescence
The article highlighted the symbiotic relationship between some deep-sea fish and bioluminescent bacteria. Creatures such as the Anglerfish actually borrow their light from Photobacterium, bacteria that live in the anglerfish’s lure. The bacteria gains protection and nutrients as the fish swims through the ocean in exchange.
 
Watch: DROPPS Researcher Delivers Televised Talk to Del Mar College
Hernando Bacosa’s lecture “Biodegradation and Photooxidation of Spilled Oil in Northern Gulf of Mexico” presented some of the recent findings about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill’s ecological impacts. The talk was televised on Channel 19 Spectrum Cable and Grande Cable in Corpus Christi.
 
ECOGIG Announces Ripple Effect Film Project
The Project invites filmmakers of all ages and abilities from the state of Georgia to submit short films and Public Service Announcements focusing on humanity’s impacts on oceans. The deadline to submit is January 31, 2017. Learn more here!
 
RECOVER and CARTHE Attend Coconut Grove Seafood Festival
Researchers participated in the festival’s Ecodiscovery Zone teaching visitors about marine and environmental issues pressing to the local communities. Check out photos from the event.