2015 Oil Spill Science Conference Wrapping Up

February 20, 2015

The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is wrapping up the 2015 Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference in Houston, TX.

(From Gulf of Mexico Alliance) - More than 1000 people from 21 countries participated in the annual conference to discuss research associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010. Current investigations show that the impacts of the oil spill continue. Understanding the Gulf of Mexico's vast complexities and its reaction to oil will be a long term endeavor.

Multiple sessions addressed many areas of oil spill investigations such as research into air-sea interactions and oil spills; changes observed in ecosystems four years after the spill; and changes in response technology. Conference participants are reporting on Twitter using #gulfscienceconference. Results have included the discovery of new marine species, identifying biomarkers for Deepwater Horizon tar balls, and the effects of oil on marshes and submerged aquatic vegetation.

The conference included oral presentations, poster sessions, plenary sessions, and other associated events through the week.