RAPID: Collaborative Research: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Marine Snow and Sedimentation

2010年4月，英国石油公司位于墨西哥湾的油井发生事故，导致了规模和后果前所未有的漏油事件。5月初在事故现场收集的初步数据显示，水中的海洋雪密度很高，特别是在靠近油类/分散剂的地方。该项目的目标是在接下来的几周到几个月内评估这些大的海洋雪样颗粒在生态系统中所起的作用。无论是形成机制还是骨料成分都不清楚。这些研究人员将监测海洋雪的分布，表征这些颗粒并测量沉降率，试图了解雪的形成和沉积在生态系统响应中的作用。智力价值这些海洋雪样聚集体的特征和潜在的命运尚不清楚，这些聚集体可能下沉或漂浮，被放牧，降解或长期悬浮在水中。这次事故是一次机会，使我们有机会评估和扩大我们关于海洋生态系统对这种大扰动的反应的一般知识，更具体地说，是研究聚集和沉积在这一过程中的作用。海洋雪的形成和沉积是元素循环的重要组成部分。据推测，物质的沉淀“清除”了水柱中的颗粒。海洋雪也被认为是微生物活动的热点。潜在地，这种油性海洋降雪不仅可能代表石油降解生物的活动热点，还可能起到将石油分离成小体积的作用。然而，这种石油聚集体的快速沉积可能会导致深层缺氧。从科学上讲，我们不了解海洋雪、海洋颗粒、石油和分散剂之间可能存在的相互作用。广泛影响了解这场迄今最大规模的石油泄漏对生态系统和生化循环的影响的必要性是不言而喻的。需要评估灾害的后果和伴随的清理措施(例如，分散剂的分配)，以指导进一步的调解措施，并制定和改进今后对类似灾害的应对措施。如果这样的石油聚集体下沉是有利的，还是应该保持暂停？一旦我们了解了压载矿物目前的形成和命运，就有可能制定措施来加强下沉或悬浮(例如，添加压载矿物)。了解向水中注入大量石油和分散剂后的颗粒动力学是制定当前和未来应对策略的先决条件。

The accident at the BP oil well in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 resulted in an oil spill of unprecedented magnitude and consequences. Preliminary data collected in the beginning of May at the site of the accident show very high concentrations of marine snow in the water, especially in close proximity to the oil/ dispersants. The goal of this project is to evaluate the role these large marine snow-like particles play in the ecosystem during the following weeks to months. Neither the formation mechanisms nor the aggregate composition are known. These investigators will monitor the distribution of marine snow, characterize these particles and measure sedimentation rates to try to understand the role of snow formation and sedimentation in the ecosystem response.Intellectual MeritThe characteristics and the potential fate of these marine snow like aggregates, which may potentially sink or float, be grazed, degraded or remain suspended in the water for a long period of time, is unknown. This accident is an opportunity to evaluate and expand our knowledge on reactions of marine ecosystems to such large disturbances in general and more specifically to study the role of aggregation and sedimentation in the process. Marine snow formation and its sedimentation are an essential component of elemental cycling. It has been postulated that sedimentation of material "cleans" the water column from particles. Marine snow is also thought to be hotspots of microbial activity. Potentially this oily marine snow could not only represent hotspots of activity for oil degrading organisms, but may also function to isolate oil into small volumes. However, rapid sedimentation of such oil aggregates may lead to anoxia at depths. Scientifically we do not understand the possible interactions between marine snow, marine particles, oil and dispersant.Broader ImpactsThe need to understand the impact of this largest oil spill to date on ecosystems and biochemical cycling is self evident. The consequences of the disaster and accompanying clean up measures (e.g. the distribution of dispersants) need to be evaluated to guide further mediating measures and to develop and improve responses to similar disasters in the future. Would it be advantageous if such oil aggregates sink, or should it rather remain suspended? Possibly measures can be developed to enhance sinking or suspension (e.g. addition of ballast minerals) once we understand their current formation and fate. Understanding the particle dynamics following the input of large amounts of oil and dispersants into the water is a prerequisite to develop response strategies for now and in the future.