As the U.S. struggles with the after effects of the oil spill on tourism, animal health, and food safety due to the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history, microbiologists are stuggling to determine the scope of damage to microbial diversity in the ocean water and sediment.
The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20th, 2010 that resulted in the deaths of 11 workers is still not capped and leaks an estimated 1.47 million gallons of oil a day (see ticker below). Current estimates of total oil spilled as of July 1st are at a record 140.6 million gallons, and with weather conditions this time of year, reports of oil and tar balls washing up along all the Gulf states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) are being confirmed.
Ecological Impact
In terms of the ecology and effect on wildlife in the Gulf, as of July 5th, the total counts of dead birds, sea turtles, and mammals, as reported in the Fish and Wildlife collection report, are at 1387, 444, and 53, respectively, and these numbers do not include the animals that were collected alive and either cleaned and released, or those that may have died later.
What will take a lot longer to assess is the ecological impact of the oil spill on the microbial life in the ocean and sediment. The formation and existence of microbial mats and biofilms on the ocean floor, hydrothermal vents, or living symbiotically on the surface of sea life will be dramatically changed or impaired. In addition, the rare biosphere of marine microbes that makes up the vast diversity in the ocean could be compromised signficantly. Estimates of marine microbial diversity are on the order of >20,000 microbes per liter of seawater, and likely, most of these species are not adapted to oily water.
Isolation of DNA from Oil Contaminated Soil and Water
To assist research on the impact of the oil spill on microbial diversity in soil and water from samples collected from the Gulf, MO BIO has created a webpage for researchers who wish to share best practices. The website is www.mobio.com/pages/oilspill.html.
Previous research using the UltraClean Soil DNA Isolation Kit and PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit were very successful for isolation of microbial DNA from oiled water and soil because of the use of inhibitor removal technology. We are also sending samples of the PowerWater DNA Isolation Kit and PowerLyzer PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit to oil spill researchers who contact us for help. Researchers are welcome to send us any recommendations, protocols, or results they want to share with the community using any technique; we will post your feedback. If you have questions on how to work with oil spill samples, let us know and we can put you in contact with scientists who can offer assistance.
Volunteer for the Oiled Wildlife Care Network
There is another way to help with the oil spill and that is to contact a participating organization in the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) and find out how to become a trained volunteer. In the event that an oil spill were to occur in California, or your coastline state, people are needed to become pre-trained on how to clean birds and rehabilitate animals. The OWCN webpage also contains information on what to do if you encounter an oiled animal as well as links to their facebook and blog page.
For those of us in San Diego or Los Angeles County, there are many possible locations to become trained in wildlife rehabilitation and care, even when there is not an oil spill. OWCN volunteer coordinator, Kaiti Ferguson, at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, recommends the non-profit volunteer organization called Project WildLife. With many locations around San Diego county, you can read about their volunteer programs and take an active role in taking care of hurt wildlife.
For information on volunteering in the Gulf states affected by the spill, contact numbers are found here at the Deepwater Horizon Response website.
Long Term Impact…
A solution to stop the leaking oil is expected by the end of July. However, it will take many years of scientific research before we will truly know what impact the oil has had (and is having) on all living species in the Gulf, including us.
The Spill Continues….
Sir,
I am Dr.Jayprada, a marine biologist. I am interested to work on oil pollution , slicks and its impacts with other scientists. I will be greatly obliged to work on this cause of control of oil slick. I reside in Mumbai. As you know Mumbai coast also has same sort of difficulties due to the recent oil slick off mumbai coast. I will be looking forward for your reply.
regards,
Dr.jayaprada