Calm seas in the spill area reflect the setting sky 30 miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico on 06 May, 2010. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
Chief scientist Arne Diercks, from the University of Mississippi at Oxford documents water contaminated with dispersant clotted oil and fresh crude oil nine miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico on the deck of the research vessel Pelican on 07 May 2010. The Pelican, operated by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, is on a redirected mission for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect seafloor and water column oil spill data in the contamination area of the Deepwater Horizon oil well that exploded 20 April. They are collecting the samples to analyze the impact of oil and oil dispersant contamination on marine life in the spill area. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
Dispersant clotted oil and fresh crude float on surface nine miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico on 06 May, 2010. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
Calm seas in the spill area reflect the setting sky 30 miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico on 06 May, 2010. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
Handout photograph dated 06 May 2010 shows Coast Guardsmen unloading a container filled with Vessel of Opportunity Skimming System (VOSS) parts while aboard CGC Harry Claiborne (WLM 561). The U.S. Coast Guard working in partnership with BP PLC, local residents, and other federal agencies is deploying the VOSS to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon. EPA/JONATHEN E. DAVIS /US NAVY/ HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
Handout photo dated 05 May 2010 shows contracted fishing vessels pulling an oil boom during a controlled oil fire in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. Local residents conducted the "in situ burn" in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, BP PLC, and other federal agencies to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon. EPA/US NAVY/JUSTIN STUMBERG EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Handout photo dated 06 May 2010 shows Coast Guardsmen unloading a container filled with Vessel of Opportunity Skimming System (VOSS) parts while aboard CGC Harry Claiborne (WLM 561). The U.S. Coast Guard working in partnership with BP PLC, local residents, and other federal agencies is deploying the VOSS to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon. EPA/US NAVY/JONATHEN E. DAVIS EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Handout photo dated 05 May 2010 shows the Premier Explorer, left, instructing contracted fishing vessels to conclude oil burning operations in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. Local residents conducted the "in situ burn" in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, BP PLC, and other federal agencies to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon. EPA/US NAVY/JEFFERY TILGHMAN WILLIAMS EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Flying fish, like this one swimming in dispersant clotted oil contaminated water 30 miles from the oil well leak, are among many forms of marine life at risk as crude oil continues to float to the surface almost a mile above the broken and leaking remains of the Deepwater Horizon oil well in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana on 06 May, 2010. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
Handout photo dated 05 May 2010 shows four contracted fishing vessels gathering concentrated oil for a controlled oil burn in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. Local residents conducted the "in situ burn" in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, BP PLC, and other federal agencies to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon. EPA/US NAVY/JUSTIN STUMBERG EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Handout photo dated 05 May 2010 shows members of Elastec Inc. American Marine, a marine science engineering company, preparing to deploy a lighting agent on oil contained in a boom while conducting a controlled burn in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. Local residents conducted the "in situ burn" in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, BP PLC, and other federal agencies to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon. EPA/US NAVY/JEFFERY TILGHMAN WILLIAMS EDITORIAL USE ONLY
A photograph made available on 07 May 2010 showing dispersant clotted oil and fresh crude floating on the surface nine miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico on 06 May, 2010. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
Handout photo dated 05 May 2010 shows members of Elastec Inc. American Marine inspecting a fire boom for collected oil prior to conducting a controlled burn in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. Local residents conducted the "in situ burn" in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, BP PLC, and other federal agencies to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon. EPA/US NAVY/JUSTIN STUMBERG EDITORIAL USE ONLY
US Coast Guard handout photograph dated 06 May 2010 showing crew members assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Oak placing the Weir Skimmer into the apex of a boom during oil skimming operations in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, USA . The Oak is assisting with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. U. S. The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded on 20 April and sank two days later. EPA/JASON RADCLIFFE / US COAST GUARD / HANDOUT
A handout photograph released by the US Coast Guard on 07 May 2010 showing pollution containment chamber on the mobile offshore drilling unit Q4000 being lowered into the water at the Deepwater Horizon site on 06 May 2010. The chamber was designed to cap the oil discharge that was a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. The mobile offshore drilling platform located in the Gulf of Mexico 52 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, was engulfed in flames after an explosion 20 April 2010. EPA/Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley / US COAST GUARD /HO EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
A photograph made available on 07 May 2010 showing dispersant clotted oil and fresh crude oil passing under the bow of the research vessel Pelican nine miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico on the deck of the research vessel Pelican on 06 May 2010. The Pelican, operated by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, is on a redirected mission for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect seafloor and water column oil spill data in the contamination area of the Deepwater Horizon oil well that exploded 20 April. They are collecting the samples to analyze the impact of oil and oil dispersant contamination on marine life in the spill area. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
A handout photograph released by the US Coast Guard on 07 May 2010 showing pollution containment chamber on the mobile offshore drilling unit Q4000 being lowered into the water at the Deepwater Horizon site on 06 May 2010. The chamber was designed to cap the oil discharge that was a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. The mobile offshore drilling platform located in the Gulf of Mexico 52 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, was engulfed in flames after an explosion 20 April 2010. EPA/Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley/ US COAST GUARD /HO EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
A handout photograph released by the US Coast Guard on 07 May 2010 showing oil as it washes onto the sides of a pollution containment chamber as the mobile offshore drilling unit Q4000 lowers it into the water at the Deepwater Horizon site on 06 May 2010. The chamber was designed to cap the oil discharge that was a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. The mobile offshore drilling platform located in the Gulf of Mexico 52 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, was engulfed in flames after an explosion 20 April 2010. EPA/Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick / US COAST GUARD / HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
A squid, like this one swimming 30 miles from the oil well leak, are among many forms of marine life at risk as crude oil continues to float to the surface almost a mile above the broken and leaking remains of the Deepwater Horizon oil well in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana on 06 May, 2010. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
A pod of dolphin swim off the bow of the research vessel Pelican in the oil spill area in the Gulf of Mexico, 30 miles from the leaking well on 06 May 2010. The Pelican, operated by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, is on a redirected mission for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect seafloor and water column oil spill data in the contamination area of the Deepwater Horizon oil well that exploded 20 April. They are collecting the samples to analyze the impact of oil and oil dispersant contamination on marine life in the spill area. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
A handout photograph released by the US Coast Guard on 07 May 2010 showing pollution containment chamber on the mobile offshore drilling unit Q4000 being lowered into the water at the Deepwater Horizon site on 06 May 2010. The chamber was designed to cap the oil discharge that was a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. The mobile offshore drilling platform located in the Gulf of Mexico 52 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, was engulfed in flames after an explosion 20 April 2010. EPA/Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley / US COAST GUARD /HO EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Fishing guide Matthew Tiblier of Biloxi, Mississippi hangs yellowfin tuna at the Venice Marina after a day of recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana 06 May 2010. Although commercial and recreational fishing in the waters affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, specifically from the mouth of the Mississippi River east to Pensacola, Florida has been suspended, waters to the west of the Mississippi remain open. The Deepwater Horizon well exploded on 20 April. EPA/PAUL BUCK
Dispersant clotted oil and fresh crude float on surface nine miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico from the bow of the research vessel Pelican on 06 May 2010. The Pelican, operated by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, is on a redirected mission for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect seafloor and water column oil spill data in the contamination area of the Deepwater Horizon oil well that exploded 20 April. They are collecting the samples to analyze the impact of oil and oil dispersant contamination on marine life in the spill area. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
Dispersant clotted oil and fresh crude float on surface nine miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico on 06 May, 2010. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
Ship's mate Joe Thomas watches dispersant clotted oil and fresh crude float on surface nine miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico from the bow of the research vessel Pelican on 06 May 2010. The Pelican, operated by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, is on a redirected mission for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect seafloor and water column oil spill data in the contamination area of the Deepwater Horizon oil well that exploded 20 April. They are collecting the samples to analyze the impact of oil and oil dispersant contamination on marine life in the spill area. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
Ship's mate Joe Thomas watches dispersant clotted oil and fresh crude float on surface nine miles from the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico from the bow of the research vessel Pelican on 06 May 2010. The Pelican, operated by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, is on a redirected mission for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect seafloor and water column oil spill data in the contamination area of the Deepwater Horizon oil well that exploded 20 April. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
A cluster of ships with large cranes used for exploration, construction and recovery work over the mile deep sunken remains of the Deepwater Horizon oil well in the Gulf of Mexico on the morning of 06 May, 2010. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
The Subsea Oil Recovery containment dome (center) arrives at the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico on the morning of 06 May, 2010. The dome will be placed over the leaking riser about 600 feet from the well head a mile down on the ocean floor and connected to pipe from the surface ship Deepwater Enterprise that will collect and process the oil. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
The Subsea Oil Recovery containment dome is positioned next to another ship with large cranes at the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill source in the Gulf of Mexico as oil burns in the distance on the morning of 06 May, 2010. The dome will be placed over the leaking riser about 600 feet from the well head a mile down on the ocean floor and connected to pipe from the surface ship Deepwater Enterprise that will collect and process the oil. People along the Gulf coast are waiting to see how bad the pollution damage will be as the massive oil slick caused leak drifts toward shore. EPA/CHRISTOPHER BERKEY
