Gulf Oil Spill Information

While the oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill has not reached the Atlantic Coast, the South Atlantic Sea Grant programs are working closely with the Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant programs to provide access to as much information and data as possible.

Will the Gulf oil spill reach the South Atlantic Coast?

Leading oceanographic modelers at universities in the South Atlantic region of the U.S. agree that there are some hard realities and major questions that limit even generalizing about the movement of spilled Gulf oil to South Atlantic waters.

They convened recently to discuss how ocean currents and other processes might influence the possible movement of oil from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean and up the East Coast. Their comments come in response to national news reports that showed potential movement of the oil through the Gulf Stream to the East Coast. (more...)

If Gulf of Mexico oil reaches South Atlantic waters, what forms might it take?

On June 29, 2010 the four South Atlantic Sea Grant Programs convened a second roundtable of recognized petrochemical and chemical oceanographic experts from the region. They met to consider, discuss and answer questions on what forms oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico is likely to be in if it arrives in regional waters. The panel reached five conclusions. (more...)

Recovery and Relief

BP has established an Online Claim Form as well as a Claims Line for oil spill-related claims. Visit these sites for more information:

• BP: Claims Submission Process
• BP Claims Manual and Forms (41-page pdf)
• Finding Economic Relief: Florida Sea Grant
• National Pollution Funds Center: Claims

Volunteer Opportunities

Many people have expressed a desire to volunteer to help mitigate the effects of the oil spill. Please note that, since petroleum can be hazardous to humans, all oil-contaminated materials will be handled by trained, paid workers, and not by volunteers. However, there are still opportunities to volunteer in support of the cleanup effort. People interested in volunteering should register with BP's volunteer hotline at 1-866-448-5816. BP will contact registered volunteers if and when help is needed.

Other volunteer opportunities may become available through local government and nonprofit organizations. Generally, the best way to find out about these opportunities is to contact your county's emergency management agency.

These pages have more information about volunteer opportunities:

• BP's official volunteer information page
• Florida Sea Grant's volunteer information page

Oil Spills and Human Health

People are naturally worried about the potential effects of the oil spill on human health. Fortunately, there are many resources available that detail the effects of oil spills on human physical and emotional health and safety:

• Crude Oil Spills & Human Health (NIH)
• What you should and should not do in areas affected by the oil spill (Also available in Spanish and Vietnamese)
• Chemical emergencies(CDC)
• Coping with technological disasters

Oil Spills and Seafood Safety

Many citizens have expressed concern about the effects of the oil spill on seafood. The following links have more information about seafood safety in the wake of the spill:

• Impact of crude oil on seafood
• Managing seafood safety after an oil spill
• Seafood Network Information Center

Oil Spills and Wildlife

Even brief exposure to oil can have a dramatic effect on wildlife. The following links have information about risks of oil to wildlife:

• Oiled Wildlife Care Network
• NOAA: Oil's effects on wildlife
• The Oil Spill's effects on underwater life
• NOAA: Impacts of oil on marine mammals and sea turtles Fact Sheet

Other Information

• Basic information about oil spills
• NOAA: Trajectory Map Archive
• Oil spills and the public

Last Updated: July 12, 2010

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