A graphical exploration of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Abstract

This paper investigates some of the immediate impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 on the environment using graphical means. The exploration focuses on the effects of the oil discharge on wildlife, the chemical pollution in the area following the spill, and salinity levels in the aftermath of the spill. Thousands of animals including birds, turtles, dolphins, and whales were found dead along the beaches and in the Gulf of Mexico in the months after the oil discharge. Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found to be at dangerous levels along the coast line, making conditions for wildlife highly unfavorable. Salinity measurements, which can be used to determine currents and oil movement, are examined over time as well as geographically.

A Benchmark calculations

1.1 A.1 Water measurements

Chronic and acute benchmark vales are computed based on the observed amount of PAH substance as follows:

$$\begin{aligned}&\text {Acute/Chronic benchmark value} \\&\quad =\sum \frac{\text {Alkylation multiplier} \times \text {measured amount of substance } (\upmu \text {g}/\text {L})}{\text {Acute/chronic potency divisor}} \end{aligned}$$

1.2 A.2 Sediment measurements

For substances measured in sediment, the amount of organic carbon for that area must additionally be used to find the acute and chronic potency ratios. Taking the organic carbon into consideration is important for sediment samples because, when it is present in the sediment, the PAHs bind to it, thus making the PAHs less toxic. Organic carbon, like any other substance, was measured at each location.

The following formulas show how we attained the chronic and acute benchmark values for sediment:

Sediment

$$\begin{aligned}&\text {Acute/Chronic benchmark value}\\&\quad =\sum \frac{\text {Alkylation multiplier} \times \dfrac{\mathrm{Measured\ amount\ of\ substance }\ (\upmu \text {g}/\text {kg})}{\mathrm{Organic\ carbon }}}{\text {Acute/chronic potency divisor}} \end{aligned}$$