Scientists Estimate Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Rhonda Moniz
August 11, 2012
NOAA scientists have estimated how fast gases and oil were leaking during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers combined detailed chemical measurements in the deep ocean, air and the oil slick itself. The study showed an average of 11,350 tons of gas and oil were leaked per day, an amount equal to approximately 59,200 barrels of liquid oil per day. According to Dr. Thomas Ryerson, a NOAA research chemist and lead author of the study, the surface and subsurface measurements and analysis provided by colleagues held the key to understanding an oil spill. Researchers found that the leaking gas and oil separated into three major pools including an airborne plume of evaporating chemicals…