A Sea of Oil

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill immediately threatened a rich, productive marine ecosystem. To mitigate both direct and indirect environmental impacts, BP and the federal government took proactive measures in response to the unprecedented magnitude of the spill.

The Gulf of Mexico is no stranger to oil spills, particularly along the Louisiana coast. But unlike past insults, this one spewed from the deep—and for nearly three months. Despite the cold, constant darkness and extremely high pressure, the region has abundant and diverse marine life. There are cold-water corals, fish, and worms that produce light like fireflies to compensate for the perpetual night. Bacteria, mussels, and tubeworms have adapted to life in an environment where oil, natural gas, and methane seep from cracks in the seafloor. Endangered sperm whales dive to great depth to feed on giant squid and other prey.

Marine and coastal species are so interdependent that a significant effect on any one has the potential to disturb several existing populations in this complex food web. Scientists are likely to spend years gaining a fuller understanding of how the oil spill impacted the Gulf and life within it.