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News Release 10-148
Scientists Map Origin of Large, Underwater Hydrocarbon Plume in Gulf
Plume detected 22 miles long and more than 3,000 feet below surface
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Sentry criss-crossed the plume in deep Gulf waters 19 times to help determine its size and shape.
Credit: WHOI/Dan Torres
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The study was enabled by three rapid response grants from NSF's chemical oceanography program, with additional funding from the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Program.
Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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The vessel Endeavor, operated by URI, embarking on a 12-day research expedition.
Credit: University of Rhode Island
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Scientists Rich Camilli and Chris Reddy aboard the Endeavor in the Gulf of Mexico.
Credit: WHOI/Cameron McIntyre
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Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Sentry is loaded onto the vessel.
Credit: Rich Camilli, WHOI
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A cable-lowered sampling system was used to collect samples for lab analysis of the plume.
Credit: WHOI/Dan Torres
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The researchers' findings are described in the August 20 issue of the journal Science.
Credit: Copyright AAAS 2010
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