NewFields Characterization and Fiux of Marine Oil Snow in the Viosca Knoii ( Lophelia Reef ) Area due to the Deepwater Horizon Oii Spiil

Sediment trap samples from the Viosca Knoll {Lophelia reef) shelf edge area (VK826), approximately 60 km northeast of the failed Macondo well, were collected before, during and after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Detailed chemical analyses were performed on the <1 mm particulate fraction In order to assess the presence, character and sedimentation rate of any Macondo oil Impacting the reef ecosystems In this area. This study contributes to the understanding of the so-called "marine oil snow sedimentation and flocculent accumulation", or MOSSFA, caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The following conclusions are reached:

[1]  U. Passow.  Formation of rapidly-sinking, oil-associated marine snow , 2016 .

[2]  Li-juan Shen,et al.  Characteristics of black carbon aerosol in Jiaxing, China during autumn 2013 , 2015 .

[3]  S. E. O'reilly,et al.  Effects of oil and dispersant on formation of marine oil snow and transport of oil hydrocarbons. , 2014, Environmental science & technology.

[4]  M. A. Woo,et al.  Fallout plume of submerged oil from Deepwater Horizon , 2014, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[5]  Daniel J. Repeta,et al.  Understanding the Role of the Biological Pump in the Global Carbon Cycle: An Imperative for Ocean Science , 2014 .

[6]  D. Yoerger,et al.  Footprint of Deepwater Horizon blowout impact to deep-water coral communities , 2014, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[7]  Christoph Aeppli,et al.  Recalcitrance and degradation of petroleum biomarkers upon abiotic and biotic natural weathering of Deepwater Horizon oil. , 2014, Environmental science & technology.

[8]  N. Kinner,et al.  Unexpected Sink for Deepwater Horizon Oil May Influence Future Spill Response , 2014 .

[9]  Annette F Govindarajan,et al.  Evidence of lasting impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on a deep Gulf of Mexico coral community , 2013 .

[10]  Paul A. Montagna,et al.  Deep-Sea Benthic Footprint of the Deepwater Horizon Blowout , 2013, PloS one.

[11]  Vernon L. Asper,et al.  Marine snow formation in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico , 2012 .

[12]  Christoph Aeppli,et al.  Oil weathering after the Deepwater Horizon disaster led to the formation of oxygenated residues. , 2012, Environmental science & technology.

[13]  Pen-Yuan Hsing,et al.  Impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on a deep-water coral community in the Gulf of Mexico , 2012, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[14]  Christopher R. Sherwood,et al.  Formation dynamics of subsurface hydrocarbon intrusions following the Deepwater Horizon blowout , 2011 .

[15]  Jonathan L. Ramseur.  Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: The Fate of the Oil , 2010 .

[16]  H. Dembicki.  Recognizing and compensating for interference from the sediment’s background organic matter and biodegradation during interpretation of biomarker data from seafloor hydrocarbon seeps: An example from the Marco Polo area seeps, Gulf of Mexico, USA , 2010 .

[17]  C. Reddy,et al.  Photochemical degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in oil films. , 2008, Environmental science & technology.

[18]  Roger C. Prince,et al.  Photooxidation of crude oils , 1998 .

[19]  K. Peters,et al.  The Biomarker Guide: Interpreting Molecular Fossils in Petroleum and Ancient Sediments , 1992 .

[20]  M. I. Venkatesan.  Occurrence and possible sources of perylene in marine sediments-a review☆ , 1988 .

[21]  W. W. Youngblood,et al.  Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils and Recent Sediments , 1975, Science.

[22]  R. Castro,et al.  Tracking Hydrocarbon Plume Transport and Biodegradation at Deepwater Horizon , 2010 .

[23]  K. Sulak,et al.  Characterization of Northern Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Hard Bottom Communities with Emphasis on Lophelia Coral - Lophelia Reef Megafaunal Community Structure, Biotopes, Genetics, Microbial Ecology, and Geology (2004-2006) , 2008 .

[24]  S. Harrison,et al.  AAPG Studies in Geology No. 48 / SEG Geophysical References Series No. 11, Chapter 2: Hydrocarbon Systems Analysis of the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Delineation of Hydrocarbon Migration Pathways Using Seeps and Seismic Imaging , 2002 .

[25]  R. Prince,et al.  17.alpha.(H)-21.beta.(H)-hopane as a conserved internal marker for estimating the biodegradation of crude oil. , 1994, Environmental science & technology.

[26]  B. Simoneit.  Cyclic terpenoids of the geosphere , 1986 .