Florida institutions to host oil spill research conference

The University of South Florida, Florida Institute of Oceanography, Mote Marine Laboratory, and the State of Florida Oil Spill Academic Task Force will host a major oil spill research conference, February 9-11, 2011, at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Oral or poster presentations are invited on substantial and original research on all aspects of the Gulf Oil Spill disaster and its impact. Abstract submission deadline is October 25, 2010. Abstracts may be submitted online at http://oilspill.usf.edu/.

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill will forever change the Gulf of Mexico, significantly impacting its citizens, environment, economy and policy of the region-and beyond. As efforts are considered to mitigate effects of the spill, plans must also be made to prepare for a different Gulf of Mexico -5, 10 and 20 years out. This disaster is of global importance and demands new approaches and methods, as well as the shared experience and insight of those who have been engaged in such disasters world-wide (e.g., from Alaska, Brazil, India, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Nigeria). One goal is to ensure that the tools and models are in place to deal with similar crises globally.

To deliberate these issues, the conference will bring together representatives from academia, government, NGOs and the private sector to inform each other about the state of research in relevant topical areas and to translate research into policy and management for predicting and adapting to a changed future, the extent of which is unknown.

Key topics will include:

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Regional Oceanography
• Chemical Weathering - Biological Consumption
• Dispersants
• Ecological Consequences and Toxicity
• Economic and Social Impacts
• Human Health Issues
• Stakeholders, Science and Policy

The conference co-chairs are Robert H. Weisberg, Distinguished University Professor of Physical Oceanography, University of South Florida; William T. Hogarth, Dean, USF College of Marine Science and Acting Director Florida Institute of Oceanography; and Michael P. Crosby, Senior Vice President for Research, Mote Marine Laboratory.

Source: University of South Florida (USF Health)