NEW ORLEANS–(ENEWSPF)–Oct. 13, 2010. The following information is an operations update from the Unified Area Command for the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Approximately 16,292 personnel are currently responding to protect the shoreline, wildlife and cleanup vital coastlines.
To date, more than 31,000 water and sediment samples have been taken from the Gulf, reaching from the Texas-Louisiana border to the Florida Keys, and extending nearly 300-miles offshore. Response teams have conducted more than 125 dedicated sampling missions, with more than 25 different deep-water capable vessels, including federal, state, private, and academic ships. More than 850 days at sea have been recorded.
In the past week, we have collected 67 water samples and 131 sediment samples. Currently we have four vessels conducting sampling operations. Water column detection sampling data currently detects hydrocarbons in the parts per billion to parts per trillion.
NOAA, FDA and the Gulf states are working together to ensure the seafood being harvested and brought to market is safe for human consumption. To date, every seafood sample from reopened waters has passed sensory testing for oil. NOAA scientists completed sensory analysis on 2,733 samples & completed chemical analysis on 2,768 samples.
To date, 90% of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico have been re-opened to fishing.
More than 1,056 tons of recyclable waste, including oily liquid & oily solid waste, has been processed.
Approximately 98 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline are currently experiencing moderate to heavy oil impacts-approximately 88 miles in Louisiana, 9 miles in Mississippi and 1 mile in Florida.
Approximately 458 miles of shoreline are experiencing light to trace oil impacts-approximately 203 miles in Louisiana, 81 miles in Mississippi, 60 miles in Alabama, and 114 miles in Florida.
Source: restorethegulf.gov
