Gulf of Mexico deep-sea life decreased by 60 percent after oil spill

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) reveals that deep-sea animal populations in the Gulf of Mexico have declined by 60 percent following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil platform explosion.

The research examined thousands of species in ocean layers ranging from 180 meters to over 3 kilometers deep. Significant population drops were observed in octopuses, squid, krill, shrimp, and anglerfish. While researchers noted that a definitive causal link to the oil spill cannot be strictly proven, they identified the leak as the “most plausible reason” for the decline.

Findings indicate that petroleum-related substances were detected in the flesh of deep-sea squid and octopuses, as well as in fish eggs. This contamination may disrupt reproduction, development, or lead to premature death. Additionally, ongoing pollution may interfere with the ability of deep-sea fish to find mates via scent.

The 2010 disaster resulted in 11 deaths and the release of approximately 5 million barrels of crude oil over 87 days. The catastrophe was estimated to have caused roughly $17.2 billion in damages to beaches, wildlife, fisheries, and tourism.