Following the fatal explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, lipid free tubing, low-density polyethylene passive sampling devices (PSDs) were deployed in coastal marine waters in the Gulf of Mexico; Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. A pre-impact baseline was obtained prior to shoreline oiling in May, 2010 followed by 13 months of sampling during and after shoreline oiling. Samples were analyzed for unsubstituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), methylated PAHs and oxygenated PAHs, and screened for over 1,200 chemicals of concern. Chemical data was modeled to elucidate changes in chemical profiles associated with unique source inputs. Among other models, principal component analysis discerned three distinct groups of samples based on chemical profile. The bioassay samples were applied to the embryonic zebrafish model.  Observations of mortality and morphological endpoints were made at 1 and 5 days. Significant differences in the rates of lethal and sub-lethal toxic effects were observed in zebrafish embryos exposed to PSD extracts from different sites and sampling times.

Assessment and source-modeling of bioavailable contaminants in Gulf of Mexico coastal waters before, during and after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.