The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Project

On April 20, 2010, a deep water drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico exploded killing 11 people and spilling an estimated 210 million gallons over the course of three months (Figure 1). This technological disaster placed additional stress on Alabama’s fragile coastline.

Figure 1. New York Times, August 7, 2010 (www.eoearth.org/article/Deepwater_Horizon_by_the_numbers?topic=50364)

During the Spring 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters, students in the Sociology of Natural Resources and the Environment (RSOC 5650/6650) developed research projects focused on the interconnections between the socioeconomic and biophysical impacts of oil on south Alabama’s beaches and waterways. The results of this work is be presented at the end of the semester in the form of a poster session, which is open to all interested persons. The abstracts and posters are be uploaded to this page at the end of the semester.

Last Updated: Aug. 22, 2010