The report also found that the oil that remains is largely confined to the deep seafloor and is not posing a threat to human health or marine life. However, NOAA is continuing to monitor the situation and will take action if necessary to protect human health and the environment.
The Deepwater Horizon spill was the largest oil spill in US history. It began on April 20, 2010, when an explosion and fire destroyed the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. The spill lasted for 87 days, and it released an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
The spill had a devastating impact on the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. It killed an estimated 11,000 marine mammals, sea turtles, and birds. It also caused extensive damage to coral reefs and other marine habitats.
The clean-up effort for the Deepwater Horizon spill was massive. It involved the use of more than 200 vessels, 1,200 skimming devices, and 1.8 million gallons of dispersants. The clean-up effort cost an estimated $65 billion.
The Deepwater Horizon spill was a major environmental disaster, but it also led to significant improvements in oil spill response technology and regulations. As a result, the US is now better prepared to respond to future oil spills.
