A Decade of GoMRI Dispersant Science: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Future

Dispersants are among a number of options available to oil spill responders. The goals this technique remove from surface waters in order reduce exposure surface-dwelling organisms, keep slicks impacting sensitive shorelines, and protect responders volatile organic compounds. During the Deepwater Horizon response, unprecedented volumes dispersants (Corexit 9500 9527) were both sprayed on airplanes applied directly at wellhead (~1,500 m water depth). A decade research followed, leading deeper understanding dispersant effectiveness, fate, effects. These studies resulted new knowledge regarding formulations, efficacy, effects organisms processes broad range levels, about potential environmental human impacts. Future should focus application high subsea long-term fate dispersed oil. In considering effects, applications gained go beyond concerns for acute toxicity consider sublethal impacts all levels biological organization. Contingency planning use during response more deeply temporal duration, effectiveness (especially subsurface applications), spatial reach, volume applied.