USGS Collects Sediment Samples at East Ship Island

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists collected environmental data and samples at beach, barrier island, and wetland sites in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  The USGS Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas Science Centers collaborated to collect samples of water and sediments for analysis of inorganic and organic constituents, benthic invertebrates, and oil and microorganism fingerprints before and after petroleum-associated product arrived on shore.

This photo shows the swash zone at USGS sampling location MS-39 on East Ship Island, MS. Waves have cut a steep section into the sand, revealing alternating layers of clean and sticky organic-rich sand that are visible after low tide. (The swash zone is the zone that is alternately covered and exposed by waves.)

You can view a map of related USGS sampling locations or access the data for sampling site MS-39.