Florida universities helping state agencies deal with impact of Gulf of Mexico oil spill
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
May 5, 2010
Florida’s universities will deal with the aftermath of the destructive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Chancellor Frank Brogan today has established an Oil Spill Academic Task Force of scholars and scientists to provide assistance to local, state and federal agencies in dealing with the spill. Florida State University is heading up the effort with help from the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, the University of Miami and other institutions.
"The explosion and subsequent sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico has created an emergency situation with potentially severe environmental, economic and public-health impacts on coastal states," Brogan said.
FSU President Eric Barron said the task force will coordinate academic resources of all Florida universities to measure and model the magnitude and trajectory of the spill, provide information on potential and actual ecological impacts of the oil, plan logistics and evaluate risks and assist in citizen-response efforts.
