Response to BP Oil Spill
During the months immediately following the BP Oil Spill in April of 2010, Turtle
Cove staff began an intensive monitoring program of the western region of Lake Pontchartrain
in order to determine whether or not oil was making its way into the basin. Monitoring
efforts included water quality sampling, benthic (bottom of lake) sampling, and shoreline
surveys each week.
Listed below are some of the activities and media-related events that Turtle Cove
staff and other Southeastern researchers were involved in during this time, related
to the oil spill and other issues.
Turtle Cove completes its third round of monitoring in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin
(August 20, 2010)
Three rounds of water sampling and visual surveyance show no presence of oil in the
lake. Testing of clams taken from the bottom of the lake as well as amphibian and
vegetative monitoring efforts remain ongoing. Turtle Cove staff will continue this
voluntary monitoring and is still looking to receive funding.
National Geographic to film visiting professor at Galva Canal (July 12, 2010)
Turtle Cove is looking forward to hosting Sid Mitra, assistant professor of Geological
Sciences at East Carolina University, as he performs atmosphere and water sampling
at our Turtle Cove Galva Canal Boatshed/Classroom facility. Set to arrive July 21,
Professor Mitra’s focus is to quantify marine-to-land transfer of hydrocarbons from
the spill during the 2010 hurricane season. National Geographic will be on hand to
film his work for a documentary.
Water sampling continues as Turtle Cove adds amphibian monitoring and shoreline surveying
for tar balls in Lake Pontchartrain (July 12, 2010)
Turtle Cove staff has now completed two cycles of conducting water quality and benthic
monitoring on the west and east sides of the Pontchartrain Basin. Turtle Cove grad
student Ryan Willis (directed by Dr. Brian Crother) has also begun to re-establish
amphibian monitoring along historic research transects across the Manchac Swamp.These
increased efforts function to gather base-line data in the event that oil does make
its way into Lake Pontchartrain.
As news emerges of tar balls found in the far eastern region of Lake Pontchartrain,
Turtle Cove has now added another component of monitoring. Starting last week, Hayden
Reno (Turtle Cove Caretaker/Facilities Technician) began conducting visual shoreline
surveys of the western edge of Lake Pontchartrain both north (to the Tangipahoa River)
and south (to the Peavine community) of Pass Manchac for evidence of tar balls and
oil sheen, making approximately 8-12 shoreline inspection points in each direction.
This method is very similar to one the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation employed
to detect the tar balls in eastern Lake Pontchartrain. Any findings will be reported
to local LDWF Enforcement agents.
Work performed by the Turtle Cove staff is supported solely by existing funds. We
are hoping to receive some reimbursement from BP in the future.
Turtle
Cove begins water sampling (June 14, 2010)
Marsh Restoration Coordinator Fred Stouder is currently leading Turtle Cove’s team
of staff in collecting samples to test water and benthic qualities from Lakes Maurepas,
Pontchartrain and Borne. These samples will be used to determine, on an ongoing basis,
whether the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill is causing harm to or adversely effecting
our local waters.
Southeastern faculty members, Dr. Phil Voegel (Chemistry) and Dr. Bill Font (Biology)
have volunteered their time to perform the necessary lab work to measure the collected
samples for evidence of hydrocarbons.
Turtle Cove in the News
“Students deliver gifts to wetlands” article in The Daily Star (April 3, 2011)
“Southeastern Louisiana University students have carried out the project placing recycled
Christmas trees in the wetlands.” Volunteer businesses and Tangipahoa parish stepped
in to aid the effort when program funding was cut.
“Louisiana State Emblems” on Southeastern Channel’s Backyard Wonders
and “‘Backyard’ highlights Louisiana emblems” article in The Lion’s Roar (August 31)
The latest episode of Backyard Wonders explores different Louisiana state emblems
from the state wildflower and flower, to wildlife, and even the Creole tomato and
beignet. Read the article in Southeastern’s Lions Roar and watch the video to learn
more about Louisiana wildlife.
“Turtle Cove Research Station receives grant and renovations” article in The Lion’s
Roar
(August 31, 2010)
The Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station has entered the third phase of its
renovation following damage from Hurricane Katrina: elevation of the entire station
by three feet, replacement of the outer siding, new electrical wiring and air conditioning
units. Turtle Cove has been unable to conduct educational overnight trips and events
since the devastating damage occurred five years ago. Turtle Cove’s marsh restoration
programs will be extended thanks to a generous grant provided by the Monsanto Company
in the amount of $4,500.
“Gulf Oil Spill” on Southeastern Channel’s Northshore Focus
Dr. Rob Moreau joins Bill Joubert, Director of Southeast Louisiana Business Center,
and Carlton Dufrechou, General Manager of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, along with
host Steve Bellas for a roundtable discussion on the current state of the Gulf Oil
Spill.
“No oil in lake” article inThe Daily Star (August 19, 2010)
Turtle Cove’s monitoring has yet to show evidence of oil in the Lake Pontchartrain
Basin.
“SLU’s Turtle Cove manager explores Louisiana emblems” article inThe Daily Star (August
19, 2010)
Episode VI of Backyard Wonders, entitled “State Emblems and Symbols” investigates
the Louisiana’s various nature-related emblems. Show to premiere on Saturday August
21 at 8:00 pm.
Turtle Cove awarded $4,500 Monsanto grant
“Southeastern Louisiana University’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station has
received a $4,500 grant from the Monsanto Fund, a private foundation and the philanthropic
arm of the Monsanto Company, to help support wetlands restoration programs in Tangipahoa
and St. John the Baptist parishes.”
“The oil spill and Southeastern” on Southeastern Channel’s Backyard Wonders
Backyard Wonders dedicates a special episode to the oil spill’s potential harm to
the environment, including effects to the fragile wetland and marsh areas and threats
to wildlife. This special features history of the Deep Water Horizon spill as well
as footage of sampling and testing performed by Turtle Cove staff. Learn how Turtle
Cove has teamed up with Southeastern faculty from the Chemistry and Biology departments to
monitor the western Lake Pontchartrain region.
“Turtle Cove in process of oil sampling” article in The Lion’s Roar (July 27, 2010)
Details of Turtle Cove’s water and amphibian sampling in the Lakes Pontchartrain and
Maurepas with testing performed by Southeastern faculty members. We would like to
acknowledge the following corrections to the article: Fred Stouder is collecting the
water samples (not Bryan Willis); Graduate assistant Ryan Willis (not Bryan Willis)
is doing amphibian sampling with Brian Crother (not water sampling); and Bill Font
is analyzing the bottom grab samples–clams specifically (not Brian Crother).
KSLU radio interview (July 12, 2010)
In an interview with KSLU Rob Moreau addresses the appearance of tar balls in and
around Lake Pontchartrain and how Turtle Cove staff is responding.
“Faculty oil spill response” article in The Lion’s Roar (June 15, 2010)
“Dr. Moreau explains importance of keeping marshes clean.”
Turtle Cove manager Rob Moreau in Southeastern’s ByLion (June 14, 2010)
“Southeastern scientists and faculty have mobilized to record the impacts of the disaster
as they apply to the region.”
KSLU radio interview (June 14, 2010)
Southeastern’s radio station interviews Turtle Cove manager Rob Moreau.
Turtle Cove in The Hammond Daily Star (June 10, 2010)
Southeastern’s Turtle Cove manager Rob Moreau speaks about the economic, environmental
and cultural impact of the oil spill on Tangipahoa Parish and surrounding areas at
a special event hosted by the Hammond Chamber of Commerce on June 9.
Southeastern Channel’s “Northshore Focus” (June 08, 2010)
Dr. Robert Moreau presents, “Impact of the Gulf Oil Spill on the Northshore.” Watch
the video now online at Southeastern Channel.
Local Efforts
Hammond to receive bird rehabilitation center
A rehabilitation center for birds affected by the oil spill is relocating to Hammond
from Fort Jackson in an effort to avoid any damage from the upcoming hurricane season.
Following the Spill in the News
Times-Picayune
The New York Times
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (2010)
National Oceanic Atmospheric Association
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