(The National Science Foundation: Arlington, VA) -- To characterize subsurface oil plumes in the Gulf using novel technology and the latest in biogeochemical techniques, a team of scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) embarked June 17 for a 12-day research effort in the Gulf of Mexico.

Aboard the research vessel Endeavor, they are conducting projects funded through the rapid response program of The National Science Foundation (NSF).

The research should help answer questions about the fate of oil released into the water, examining the physical extent, chemical composition, and biological effect of subsea plumes.

“The project has been implemented in a remarkably short period of time, deploying some of the most advanced technology available for underwater chemical sampling and underwater autonomous vehicles,” says Phillip Taylor, acting director of the NSF Division of Ocean Sciences. “The effort is another example of research scientists stepping up quickly to address the crucial and challenging questions about the fate and environmental consequences of the spilled oil.”

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