Mystery of incident that inspired 'The Birds' solved?

Dr. Sibel Bargu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast and Environment, LSU, tells USA Today, "I am pretty convinced that the birds were poisoned." Bargu's statement is the result of a study she led in 1961 which that found that natural occurring toxins were the cause of death of many birds and sea animals which ate a toxin making algae which which was consumed. The toxin is a nerve damaging acid which causes seizures and confusion before death. (1-4-11) This story also appeared in the New Zealand Herald, The Australian, Detroit Free Press, and CNN's The Marquee Blog.

Gulf coast isn't clean, NWF says

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU states that "If you try to get every drop of oil you're going to further destroy those habitats and do more damage than good. You have to get it from the edges and I think they've done what they can up to this point." The U.S. Coast Guard reports that an estimated 90% of the Gulf Coast has been cleaned up at this point in time, however the National Wildlife Federation considers the last 10% to still be a considerale amount of damage and cleanup. Scientists like Dr. Overton will be monitoring the Gulf Coast area for the long term effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spil on the environment. UPI.com (10-16-11)

Researchers: BP Oil Spill May Have Contributed to Gulf of Mexico Dolphin Deaths

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU, is cited in this article for his research on the red snapper from the Gulf of Mexico that had lesions saying, "There's no doubt it's associated with a chronic exposure to a toxin." St. Petersburg Times (10-28-11)

New Questions Raised Over 2001 Anthrax Attacks

Dr. Martin Hugh-Jones, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, is noted in this article to be one of the three authours of report published criticising the FBI's investigation of the anthrax attack findings saying that there may have been more than one person involved. They also said that the anthrax from the second set of letters “indicates a very special processing, and expertise.” World Socialist Web Site (10-24-11)

Professor is Worldwide Anthrax Specialist: Research Disputes FBI Findings

Dr. Martin Hugh-Jones, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, tells the LSU Reveille that anthrax is actually, " not that lethal" and people often assume that anthrax effects are more dangerous than other common diseases. The Daily Reveille (10-21-11)

Alumna Ellen Prager to Present “Sex, Drugs and Sea Slime: the Ocean’s Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter”

World-respected marine scientist and LSU alumna Ellen Prager will join the LSU School of the Coast & Environment for a lecture and book signing on her most recent publication, “Sex, Drugs and Sea Slime: the Ocean’s Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter.”

The event will be held in the Woods Auditorium of the Energy, Coast and Environment Building at LSU on Oct. 27, starting at 4 p.m. with an author’s meet and greet, followed by the lecture 5 p.m., with a book signing afterward.

Known for her marine science expertise and ability to bring science to the public, Prager’s work takes readers on a journey through the oceans with an entertaining look at marine biodiversity, its relevance to the average person and why ocean life and resources are now at risk. LSU Press (10-19-11)

Science in Anthrax Letter Case Comes Under Attack

Dr. Martin Hugh-Jones, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, is noted in this article to be one of the authours of report published criticising the FBI's investigation of the anthrax attack findings. The published data has gained lots of attention by the media in the previous week. The FBI has responded saying that they stand by their original decision. Los Angeles Times, The Sacramento Bee (10- 15-11)

LSU Part of New Regional Climate Center Funded Through Department of Interior

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this media release from LSU Media Center saying, “You are known for the company you keep, and in this case our partners make excellent company. Few areas of the country are more susceptible to the effects of climate change than Louisiana, and our contributions to the research effort will provide important pieces to the regional climate change puzzle.”  The Louisiana Sea Grant Program was also included in the new center. (10-11-11)

Scientists Question Gov't Anthrax Attack Findings

Dr. Martin Hugh-Jones, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, is mentioned in this article as being one of the authors of a paper that questions the fact that the U.S. government's conclusion that an Army microbiologist at Fort Detrick was the sole perpetrator of the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people and sickened others. The paper indicates that the anthrax spores were coated with chemicals indicating a higher degree of manufacturing skill than Bruce E. Ivins possessed. Ivins died before he could be charged for murder. Associated Press

Also reported in: Philly.com The Examiner The Washington Post Newsday UPI.com(10-11-11)

From Rigs to Reefs

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article saying that "Rigs to Reefs is helpful to us because it gives [the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries] resources to support critically important research in fisheries science and other natural resources topics. For example, our graduate students receive research assistantships derived from this funding, and their field work is supported through this funding." Rigs to Reefs is a program where oil companies can convert abandoned oil platforms to artificial reefs. The program was co-founded by Charles "Chuck" Wilson, executive director of the Louisiana Sea Grant and professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU. The Daily Reveille (10-11-11)

Gulf Shrimp Are Scarce This Season; Answers, Too

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU, provided some insight as to why there are fewer shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico this season and why the ones that are there are so tiny. Cowan is quoted in this article saying, “There are numerous lines of evidence now that are sort of lining up that chronic exposure to this material could be problematic." The chronic exposure Cowan refers to is the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. The New York Times (10-10-11)

Scientists Cast Doubt on FBI's Closing of Anthrax Case

Remarks on the closing on the decade old Anthrax case, “It indicates a very special processing, and expertise,” said Martin Hugh-Jones, lead author of the paper and a world authority on anthrax at Louisiana State University. The deadly germs sent through the mail to news organizations and two U.S. senators, he added, were “far more sophisticated than needed.” Dr. Martin Hugh-Jones is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU. He is an expert and world authority on anthrax. The Bulletin and St. Petersburg Times (10-10-11)

Researcher: Northern Gulf Fish Show Signs of Disease, but Link to Spill Uncertain

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU, confirms that he has also observed a higher than usual occurrence of diseased fish in Gulf off Louisiana's coast. Another area off of Florida's coast also show a higher rate of disease. Cowan's lab has developed a test of fish ear bones for oil exposure, looking at the percentages of vanadium and nickel present in the bones. However, the test doesn't answer the big question, "Is there a connection between the diseased fish and the BP oil spill?" al.com (10-9-11)

Scientists’ Analysis Disputes F.B.I. Closing of Anthrax Case

Dr. Martin Hugh-Jones, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU is mentioned in this article as being the lead author on paper regarding anthrax investigation by the FBI and how the FBI's conclusion may have been wrong. New York Times (10-9-11).

Call For Mentors for EnvironMentors 2011-2012
We need YOU as an ENVIRONMENTOR!

What is EnvironMentors?
EnvironMentors is an afterschool environmental science mentoring and college access program housed in the LSU School of the Coast and Environment. LSU had a very successful inaugural year, with two of our students winning awards and scholarships at the National EnvironMentors Science Fair in Washington, D.C. We are looking forward to another successful year and need your help!

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact the LSU EnvironMentors Team at lsu.environmentors@gmail.com

Or you can find Courtney Saari in EC&E Rm 2133

Note: Nancy Rabalais is an Adjunct faculty member in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU. Congratulations, Nancy!

Rabalais wins Heinz award  

Nancy Rabalais, a scientist at Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium in Chauvin, has won a Heinz Award, an unrestricted cash prize of $100,000 for her pioneering research of severe oxygen depletion in the Gulf of Mexico and efforts to reduce water pollution through education and public policy.
The Heinz Family Foundation describes Rabalais as “the driving force behind identifying and characterizing the dynamics of the low oxygen area or “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico — the largest dead zone affecting the United States and second largest worldwide.”
Dead zones can affect the health of regional economies and coastal environments, according to the foundation. Rabalais’ work is key to restoring oceans so that both marine and human life can thrive.
In 2000, she led a scientific assessment of the dead zone, connecting it to nutrient runoff originating from the vast farming areas of the Mississippi watershed. Rabalais is also addressing the impacts of the 2010 BP oil spill on the Gulf’s ecosystems. Her work was featured in the 2010 public television documentary Troubled Waters: A Mississippi River Story. The Advocate (9-13-2011)

Oil sheen sighted in Gulf of Mexico raises new questions about last summer's spill

BP has denied that the oil in the Gulf of Mexico that has caused a new oil sheen is coming from the Macondo well, but the exact cause of the new oil sheen has not yet been determined. The oil samples tested by Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU and Scott Miles, Research Associate and member of the Response and Chemical Assessment Team, Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, found that the sample chemically matched samples taken after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. POPSCI (8-31-11)

New land in eroding LA wetlands: Cause for hope

Dr. Eugene Turner, professor and distiguished research master in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU, had this to say about the Caernarvon diversion project, "When you lose 55 square miles of land for a project that took 19 years, and you thought it was an absolute success at the beginning, it's time to take a deep breath ... and figure out what went wrong before you spend billions of dollars on similar projects." The Seattle Times (8-31-11)

BP, U.S. Coast Guard revisit Deepwater Horizon site, find no oil leak

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU and Scott Miles, Research Associate and member of the Response and Chemical Assessment Team, Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, are referenced in this article as the researchers at Louisiana State University who analyzed the oil from the recent sheen found in the Gulf and chemically matched it to that of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. NASDAQ (8-31-11)

Louisiana Reef Fund plundered during budget balancing

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU, talks about the huge impact the Louisiana Reef Fund has bad on his own researh, as well as others studing marine ecosystem research, fish habitats, and reef planning. See what else Dr. Cowan had to say in this in-depth article published in The Huffington Post. (8-30-11)

Report: BP oil back in Gulf

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU and Scott Miles, Research Associate and member of the Response and Chemical Assessment Team, Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, are mentioned in this article where Dr. Overton gave his accessment of the oil from the sheen found earlier this week. Overton said the oil may be coming from the broken riser pipe or a sunken platform. bestofneworleans.com (8-26-11). Also reported on World Socialist Web Site (8-30-11)

Coast Guard says BP oil well at bottom of Gulf not leaking; source of oil sheen unclear

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is referenced in this article as being the lead scientist analyzing the oil from the sheen reported in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week. Overton reported that the oil from the recent oil sheen matched that of the 2010 Deepwater Horison oil spill. The Washington Post (8-26-11)

BP says Macondo well isn't leaking

This article in The Street reports that there is no leak in the Macondo Well and mentions a pair of chemists at LSU (Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU and Scott Miles, Research Associate and member of the Response and Chemical Assessment Team, Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU), who did the chemical analysis of the oil tested from the recent sheen near the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (8-26-11)

Coast Guard, BP investigating reports of oil at Deepwater Horizon site

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU and Scott Miles, Research Associate and member of the Response and Chemical Assessment Team, Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU are cited in this article saying the results of the oil sampled from around the Deepwater Horizon site this week "matched that (oil) flowed from the BP well during the months-long uncontrolled release last year." NOLA.com (8-26-11) Also reported on globalresearch.ca (8-26-11)

Coast Guard, BP find no Macondo oil leaks

This is a follow up story to the recent articles concerning oil sheens near the Macondo well and includes a video that states that oil samples were sent to LSU (Department of Environmenal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment) for chemical analysis. Fuelfix.com (8-26-11)

Gulf Oil Spill Crisis Not Over: BP's Deepwater Horizon Well Is Leaking Again

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article referrring to a quote in the Pess Register saying, “After examining the data, I think it’s a dead ringer for the MC252 oil, as good a match as I’ve seen. My guess is that it is probably coming from the broken riser pipe or sunken platform. ... However, it should be confirmed, just to make sure there is no leak from the plugged well.” Globalresearch.ca (8-26-11)

Deepwater trouble on the horizon: oil discovered floating near source of Gulf of Mexico spill (Photo gallery, video)

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU and Scott Miles, Research Associate and member of the Response and Chemical Assessment Team, Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU are both mentioned in this article about oil floating in the Gulf of Mexico near the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill site. Miles and Overton did a chemical analysis on the oil and determined that it was a "Louisiana crude oil." The exact source of where the oil is coming from has not been identified. al.com (8-24-11)

LSU Earth Scan Lab Offers Media and Public Images of Hurricane Irene

The Earth Scan Laboratory in the School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, has up-to-date satellite images of Hurricane Irene, which is expected to hit land somewhere on the eastern coast of the United States. LSU Press Release (8-24-11)

Gulf Fishermen Find Increasing Number of Sick Fish

Dr. Jim Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU, gives his advice as to why fishermen are seeing increased numbers of fish with sores, fin rot and infections saying, "We think from chronic exposure to some environmental stresser and I think the likely assumption that it has something to do with the spill is there." WAFB News and CBS News (8-15-11)

Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Large, But Not Near Predicted Record

Dr. Eugene Turner, professor and distiguished research master in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU is mentioned in these articles for his prediction and estimates of possibly the largest dead zone on record in the Gulf of Mexico in 2008. Caller.com and statesman.com (8-1-11)

Sen. Mary Landrieu Optimistic About Bill to Speed Offshore Revenue to Louisiana

Dr. Eugene Turner, professor and distiguished research master in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU spoke at a Senate subcommittee hearing earlier this week on the effects of the BP Oil Spill on the coast of Louisiana. Find out what he had to say in this report from NOLA.com. (7-20-11)

LSU Awards BP Oil Spill Funds to University Researchers

Final phase of last year’s grant awarded by peer-review process

The School of the Coast & Environment, LSU is reported to be one of the leaders in oil spill research on campus. For a complete list of grant awardees, please see LSU Press. Congratulations to all SC&E researchers! (7-15-11)

BOEMRE Releases Report on Deepwater Gulf Gas Hydrate Finding Methods

Research from the Coastal Studies Insittute, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU is cited in study funded by the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement showing new technologies using four-component, ocean bottom cable to acquire multicomponent seismic data have shown promise in locating such gas hydrate deposits. Oil & Gas Journal (7-5-11)

Hurricanes: LSU Researchers Answer Questions about Storm Lore and History

Three of the faculty members, Dr.s Kam-Biu Liu, Ed Overton, and Associate. Professor Larry Rouse of the School of the Coast & Environment, LSU are featured in this article giving expertise advice to the LSU Press answering questions about hurricanes.(6-27-11)

Scientist Thrives in Miss. Environment

Melissa Gordon Pringle, a graduate student of the School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, is featured in this article where she talks about all the strong women in her life that has influenced her. Read the artilcel in the Clarion Ledger to see who she mentions in the article from our school. Melissa received her BS in the Department of Environmental Sciences and a Ph.D. in the Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences. (6-18-11)

Record 'Dead Zone' Predicted in Gulf of Mexico

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is mentioned in this article advising that the dead zone in the Gulf peaks in July and fades away in September and October when the winds pick up in the Gulf of Mexico. USA Today and UPI.com (6-16-11)

Netherlands Scientists Visit LSU School of Coast & Environment to Design Degree Program on Deltas

Faculty from the Hogeschool Zeeland University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands, visited LSU’s School of the Coast & Environment, or SC&E, on May 17-20 to discuss, study and gather data from the Mississippi Delta for Zeeland University’s recently implemented bachelor’s of science degree in delta management. Read the entire press release at LSU Media Center. (6-15-11)

LSU EnvironMentors Win Big at National Science Fair in Washington, D.C.

The winners from the National Science Fair in Washinton, D.C. are announced, including those from LSU. The School of the Coast & Environment is mentioned because of our student and faculty's involvement in setting up the LSU program. Also one of our students, Melissa Baustian, mentored the student who won first place in the poster contest, Markeisha Hill. LSU Media Center (6-15-11)

LSU Tests Show Oil Washing Up On Louisiana Coast Is New Oil, Not from BP Well

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is mentioned in this article as a chemist from LSU that tested the oil from the one-mile sheen and determined by the chemistry of the oil that it is new oil, and not left from last year's BP oil spill. Bayoubuzz News - KSLA News -The Advertiser (6-14-11)

Missolutions, Dyssolutions, and Malsolutions

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is featured in an editorial on solutions to energy and environmental problems in decades to come in Solutions. (6-13-11)

American Association for the Advancement of Science Forum on Science and Technology Policy

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, pretested a talk at the AAAS Forum on Science Meeting in May 2011 titled, "Policy and Administration Issues in Doing Science in Emergency Situations." Read about Dean D'Elia's presentation and others on Science & Policy and other AAAS News. (05-05-11)

LSU Chemist Overton: Slick is Fresh Small Spill, Not Stirred Remnants of BP Spill

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, has tested oil from the latest one-mile sheen reported in Breton's Sound and reports that it is a new, but small spill not related to last year's Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The Coast Guart is investigating the spill. The Republic (6-10-11)

Ph.D. Candidate Helps EnvironMentors Program Have Successful First Year

Melissa Baustian, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment was featured in LUMCON's newsletter for her work in starting the Environmentors program at LSU. Baustian's student that she mentored, Markeisha Hill, won first place in the poster contest held at the end of the school year! Way to go Melissa and Markeisha! LUMCON News (6-8-11)

Infected Snapper Hard to Find in Gulf Off Alabama Coast Despite Reports of Fish With Rash

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is mentioned in this article as being the first to report sick and diseased fish in the Gulf. Cowan has received samples from fishermen and also caught some on a research trip to look for additional samples. Read what other researchers are saying about the fish at al.com . (5-31-11)

Sick Fish Reported in Gulf of Mexico

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted as telling the News Journal "that while there is no hard data to connect the sick fish to last summer's massive oil spill, fish are showing up sick in the areas of the Gulf that were hardest hit by oil. " (5-31-11) Courthouse News Service    

Largest-Ever Dead Zone 'a Disaster in the Making' for La. Fishermen

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, predicts the largest dead zone in the Gulf's history this year, which means the fishermen will have to go further out in the Gulf for a good catch. (5-26-11) The New York Times

Research Identifies Sick Red Snapper

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

found red snapper off the coast of Alabama that contained two pathogens, vibrio vulnificus and photobacterium damselae, that could be harmful to humans. Research is underway to determine if connected to the BP oil spill. (5-26-11) Fox10tv.com

Feds Back Sick Fish Study

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, reports that other species of fish besides redfish are starting to show up now with visible signs of disease. The new study backed by the federal government should give scientists an answer as to whether or not the disease is related to the BP Deepwater Oil Spill that happned in April 2010. St. Petersburg Times (5-26-11)

Researchers Predict Spillway Effects on Lake Pontchartrain

Drs. John White and Sibel Bargu are both featured in this article discussing the effects of opening the spillway could possibly have on Lake Pontchartrain and the food chain. NBC 33 News (5-25-11)

Wetlands Need Sediment from Mississippi River, Coastal Scientists Say

Dr. Robert Twilley, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment, tells the Times Picayune that the (Mississippi) river’s power has been curtailed in the past 150 years, in part through the creation of levees after the 1927 flood. Twilley also noted that there has always been a balance between levees and diversions, and that while levees have helped southeast Louisiana thrive, it’s time for a shift in the balance to retain coastal communities. NOLA.com (5-16-11)

SCE Awards Convocation

SC&E Outstanding Student Thesis Award - Christen Gautreau

SC&E Outstanding Student Dissertation Award - Edward Castaneda & Anindita Das

SC&E Outstanding Administrative Staff Award - Patricia Graham

SC&E Outstanding Faculty Research Award - Nina Lam

Andrew L. "Drew" Wilbert Memorial Award - Florence Johnson

TAF CES Student Scholarship Award - Lauren Kasparek

Joseph Lipsey, Sr. Memoria Scholarship Award - Dannielle Kulsaw

TAF Undergraduate Teaching Award - John White

SC&E Dean's Outstanding Service Award - Vince Wilson

Joseph Lipsey, Jr. and Richard Lipsey Teaching Award - Paul LaRock & Ralph Portier

CEGO Leadership & Service Award & Tom W. Dutton Service Award - Jennifer Lentz

LSU Foundation Ted Ford Memorial Scholarship Award - Melissa Monk

Congratulations to all!

(05-13-2011)

Mississippi River Reaches Historic Levels

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, talks about the dead zone and the effect it will have on shrimp this year saying, “The shrimpers have already had a hard time because of the oil spill last year.” Turner predicts that fishermen will have to go farther out in the Gulf due to a larger than normal dead zone this year to harvest shrimp. Huff Post (5-11-11)

LSU Experts Available to Discuss Mississippi River Flooding and Diversion Openings

Several of the outstanding faculty members from the School of the Coast & Envirnment, LSU made this list of experts on Mississippi River flooding and diversion openings, inclucing Assistant Professor Sibel Bargu-Ates, DOCS; Professor James Cowan, DOCS; Distinguished Professor Emeritus, John Day, DOCS; and Associated Professor Lawrence Rouse, DOCS. LSU Press (5-10-11)

Bonnet Carre Spillway Opening Shunts Mississippi River Water Away from New Orleans

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, advises that the opening of the spillway will have a huge effect on the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, and possibly cause blue-green algae in Lake Pontchartrain, as well. The size of the dead zone is expected to tie or set a new record for size, which was as large as the state of New Jersey in 2002. Nola.com (5-9-11)

Swimming in Deepwater

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, comments on the dispersent, Corexit, used in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and the effect on the environment. Biscayne Times (5/11)

Congratulations to Dr. John R. White

Dr. John R. White, Associate Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, received a 2011 Tiger Athletic Foundation Undergraduate Teaching Award. Congratulations! (5/11)

Profs. Gather for Oil Spill Conference

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, speaks out about BP funding and says that local universities should be funded because of their "local knowledge" that other universities do not have. Daily Reveille (5-1-11)

Bush Babe...Clearly I Don't Know Jack

This article sounds off on possible cover-ups in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and lists all the people associated with researching, whistle-blowing, etc. who died suddenly and/or mysteriously after the record breaking oil spill in April of 2010. SC&E's former Greg Stone, Professor and Director of the Coastal Studies Institute is mentioned in the article. NewsTime (4-27-11)

Details Revealed On BP's Funds for Continued Oil Spill Research

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, had the following comments about the announcement from BP, "We have a process that's going to work. The delays were just unfortunate." Science Insider (4-25-11)

The Gulf is Rebounding From the Oil Spill

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, cautioned that although conditions seem better, "There are things that are wrong. There is still oil out there. But it is not nearly as bad as I expected it would be a year later." The Daytona News Journal (4-23-11)

Editorial: A Year After Gulf Oil Spill

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this editorial on the effects the oil spill may have in the future saying, "It could be accumulation of toxins in the food chain, or changes in the food web." The MetroWest Daily News (4-23-11)

Red Snapper's Health After Oil Spill Subject of Conflicting Reports

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, reports that his lab at LSU has recently received over 100 fish carcasses with lesions from commercial fishermen. It has been determined that the fish were infected with a bacteria. This news conflicts with reports coming out of Alabama and Florida where the fish are said to be 100% healthy. Al.com (4-22-11)

BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Wildlife Update: Blue Crab, Shrimp, and Oysters

Dr. Richard Condrey, Associate Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, comments on the effects the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill had on sea life saying, “For many of these species we may never know because we do not have sufficient pre-spill background data.” Audubon Magazine (4-22-11)

Scientists Surprised, Cautious Over Environment's Apparent Post-Oil Spill Recovery

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, expresses his sentiments on the recovery process in this article saying, “Who would have possibly believed that you could go down to the Gulf and see it look like it looks today. People are having a hard time accepting it. Me too.” Al.com (4-21-11)

Gulf Seafood Officially Safe, But Questions and Oil Linger

Scott Miles, Research Associate and member of the Response and Chemical Assessment Team, Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, talks about how most fish in the Gulf can process transforming contaminants from compounds that are fat-soluable into ones that are water-soluable and excrete harmful substances, but other marine life do not have this ability and therefore, contaminants could be passed on through the food chain eventually. Scientific American (4-21-11)

BP Sues Partners as Gulf Marks Year Since Spill/Flyover, Vigils Mark Gulf Oil Disaster Anniversary

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is mentioned in this article saying that the environmental damage done by the oil spill wasn't as bad as most scientists predicted but they are still concerned about the long term effect on marine life. Democratherald.com nd MSN Money(4-21-11)

Our View: As Thirst for Oil Grows, Keep Mistakes from BP's Gulf Spill in Mind

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article talking about the effects of the BP Oil Spill and had this to say about the possible long-term effects, "It could be accumulation of toxins in the food chain, or changes in the food web." PJStar.com (4-21-11)

Gulf Marine Life Still Lives In Spill's Horror

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is featured in this video on the impact of the BP oil spill one year later. NPR (4-21-11)

Gulf Spill's Long-term Impact: Scientists Differ

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, states in this article that the Gulf is actually recoving faster than most scientists predicted had this to say about the Gulf's recovery and long term effects, "I don't think we're going to see any massive impacts as we go forward. There were predictions the Gulf would become a dead and dying body for decades, maybe even centuries/ That's clearly not gonna happen." CBS News (4-20-11)

WRAPUP 3-Gulf Gets Taste of Recovery One Year After Spill

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, compares the after effects of the BP oil spill with that of the Exxon Valdez saying, "I think it's too early to tell, but I am extremely optimistic. We're way off what Exxon Valdez was, way off." The oil from the BP spill was not a heavy oil like the 1989 Valdez oil spill was. Reugers (4-20-11)

Scientists Need Funds to Continue Spill-Related Research

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, had this to say about the promised funds from BP that have not yet been made available, "Cutting-edge, scientific research is now grinding to a halt as we wait for BP to provide more funding from the GRI. The scientific community can't continue much of the research it started last summer." See what else he has to say by reading the entire article published in the Huffington Post (4-20-11)

BP Spill, A Year Later: Dying Dolphins, Deformed Fish, and Still Some Oil

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, reports that his lab at LSU, is quoted in this article stating that red snapper off the Louisiana coast have “severe bacterial infections and lesions on their skin and damaged livers. It’s right now about around 10 percent or less of the fish that are being caught, but the numbers are increasing.” The Globe and Mail (4-20-11)

Full Impact of BP Oil Spill Yet Unknown

Scott Miles, Research Associate and member of the Response and Chemical Assessment Team, Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, talks about the BP oil spill. "This spill was very unique. This oil came up from 5,000 feet, and we never look at oil this way. This oil acted a lot different from what we normally see." The Advocate (4-20-11)

Post-spill Gulf Environment Appears to Have Escaped Catastrophe, for Now/Stain of Huge Gulf Oil Spill Still Visable

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article saying, "We're fortunate the gulf is a big place. I thought it was going to be worse than it actually was. That was a happy surprise." Read the full article in the Los Angeles Times. and The Vancouver Sun (4-20-11)

How Did the BP Oil Spill Affect Gulf Coast Wildlife?

Scott Miles, Research Associate and member of the Response and Chemical Assessment Team, Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article talking about the oil that reached the Louisiana coastline, "We still have a lot of oil in the Louisiana marshlands." Miles added that the oil is very persistant once it gets up into the marsh grasses.

 

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is also quoted in this article and had this to say about the oil spil, "What is arriving at shore is much less toxic, much less difficult to deal with than what is coming out of the wellhead. If [the spill] had been closer, we would have been in much more trouble." Scientific American (4-20-11)

'Quagmire Of Bureaucracy' Stifles Gulf Spill Research

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, comments on how the Natural Resources Damage Assessment process clamps a lid of secrecy on research that many scientists find stifling saying, "It may end up in court. You just can't publish your data, you don't get involved in the normal kind of scientific discourse we had, so it's a more constraining process. I don't think it works. I think it's a nightmare. I think the whole thing, it just grinds everything to a halt." NPR (4-20-11)

A Year After Spill, Gulf Coast is Healing, Hurting/Deepwater Horizon Victim's Families Mark First Anniversary of Oil Spill

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, talks to the Associated Press about the oil spill's long term effect on marine life and had this to say, "There are these cascading effects. It could be accumulation of toxins in the food chain, or changes in the food web. Some species might dominate." Associated Press - Atlanta Journal Constitution and Guardian News (4-19-11)

One Year After the BP Spill: Where's the Oil?

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, thinks the Gulf of Mexico is recovering quicker than originally expected and tells CBS Evening News, "I don't think we're going to see any massive impacts as we go forward. All we're doing now, is postulating and making an educated guess. Of course it's still a guess." CBS Evening News (4-19-11)

Scope of Environmental Impact of BP Oil Spill Remains Elusive

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, was quoted in this article saying, "We're fortunate, the Gulf is a big place. I thought it was going to be worse than it actually was. That was a happy surprise." Ottawa Citizen (4-19-11)

Day of Rememberance: 1 Year After Gulf Oil Disaster

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, said the effects of the BP oil spill "were not as severe as many had predicted. People had said this was an ecological Armageddon, and that did not come to pass." Associated Press - Longview Daily News - NPR - The Bellingham Herald - (4-19-11)

One Year Later

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is cited in this article printed in the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report saying, "We need to go through a growing season—the full life cycle of the ecosystem—before we know absolutely for sure," when asked about the impact of the oil spill on the ecosystem. Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (4-19-11)

Symposium Focuses on Water Quality, Climate Change

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, will present a talk titled, "Mississippi River Water Quality: Landscapes, Restoration and Hypoxia" at the 27th Annual Life Sciences Week held in Columbia, Missouri on April 18-23, 2011. Missouri Ruralist (4-18-11)

Gulf Seafood Industry Still Smeared By Suspision

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, tells CBS News that he has received dozens of diseased red snapper sent to his lab by Gulf fishermen. Cowan states that, "It's too much of a coincidence for it to be not related to the spill, somehow, someway." CBS Evening News (4-18-11)

What's Under Elmer's Island?

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast and Environment at LSU, has the answer. It's "hot-spots" of carcinogenic hydro-carbons under Elmer's Island. Tar balls and pools of oil underneath the sand at Elmer's Island from the BP oil spill last year are problematic and Portier says, "It's chronic exposure, a life time of exposure, long term exposure (or) consumption of some of these things that we worry about." Read the complete article in CNN News. (4-15-11)

A Year On, Gulf Still Grapples With BP Oil Spill

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, was quoted as saying, "Some people thought it would be the end of the Gulf for decades and that's not even near the case," regarding the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Reuters (4-15-11)

Dean D'Elia Interviewed in Cocodrie for International News

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, was interviewed recently in Cocodrie, LA regarding the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and the effects it has had on the Gulf of Mexico and the coastline. See the video clip at 24 Actu - (forewarning, the video is in French). (4-11-11)

Jennifer Lentz Receives Leadership Awards

Congratulations to Jennifer Lentz, graduate student in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU for receiving the CEGO Leadership & Service Award and the Tom W. Dutton Service Award.

CEGO and Graduate Students Receive Award Nominations

The Coast & Environment Graduate Organization (CEGO) has been nominated for the "Commitment to Community Award" and the "Most Outstanding Student Organization Award".

 

Daniell LaRock, graduate student in the Environmental Science department, School of the Coast & Environment has been nominated for the "Emerging Leader Award" and Jennifer Lentz, graduate student in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, has been nominated for the "Graduate Student of the Year Award."

 

These awards will be presented at the Campus Life Leadership & Involvement Awards Reception on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:00 pm in the Atchafalaya Room in the LSU Student Union.

Danielle LaRock, New Presidential Management Fellow

Congratulations to Danielle LaRock, graduate student in LSU Environmental Sciences, who has recently been selected as a 2011 Presidential Management Fellow.  The Presidential Management Fellowship Program is a flagship leadership development program in the federal government for advanced degree candidates.  Fellows are selected nationwide after a lengthy, rigorous selection process. This prestigious program attracts and selects the best possible candidates and is designed with a focus of developing potential government leaders. Click for more information on the PMF Program.

Fifty-Plus Help Plant 500 Trees

Dr. John Day, Professor Emeritus, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Enviornment, LSU, led the way of more than 50 college students in planting cypress trees in Spanish Lake during spring break. The trees were donated by RPM Ecosystems to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana's 10,000 Trees for Louisiana Project. Graduate students from as far away as Boston participated in the project. The Daily Iberian (3-18-11)

LSU's Ed Overton and Team Honored by NOAA for Extraordinary Efforts During Oil Spill

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, and his research team of scientists have been awarded the Superior Accomplishment Award by NOAA, Office of Response and Restoration, for their on-going efforts in mitigating the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Dr. Overton had this to say about his research team which includes Scott Miles, Buffy Meyers, Heng Gao, Lee Levergne and Robert Wong, "My research group colleagues certainly rose to the challenge and provided 24/7 support to NOAA during the frantic days when oil was gushing into the Gulf. Their contributions cannot be overstated." LSU Press (3-15-11)

New LSU EnvironMentors Chapter Mentors Students in Science and College Preparation

Melissa Monk, Lauren Land, Melissa Baustian (SC&E graduate students) and Susan Welsh all made the news with their work in a new group, EnvironMentors, which is designed to help high school students at risk in the field of science, especially environmental programs. Susan Welch, Research Assoc., SC&E, serves as the group's advisor. The new chapter at LSU is one of three selected to start university chapters. LSU Press (3-11-11)

The Health of the Gulf: Fishermen and Oilmen Clash

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, reports findings of dead reefs in the Gulf and is quoted in this article saying, "We expect that if there is going to be a problem from the spill, it's going to be in reproductive biology." The Atlantic (3-10-11)

Keepin' It Green: NCSE 11th National Conference in D.C.-Second Set of Interviews; Part 1

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU is asked, "What are the Biggest Problems that Affect our Oceans?" See what he has to say in this YouTube video.

Alumni News: Philip Hoffman Named New Director of the Cooperative Institutes Program Office

Philip Hoffman has been named the new Director of the Cooperative Institutes Program Office at NOAA effective March 14, 2011. Philip has a B.S. degree in Marine Sciences with a Biology Concentration from Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL, and a M.S. Oceanography & Coastal Sciences with a Fisheries Emphasis from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.

Philip is a Louisiana native and married to Kirsten Larsen (the Habitat Science Lead for NOAA Fisheries Office of Science & Technology), and they have four children.

After the Oil Spill, Will Tourists Return to Gulf?

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article saying, “Last summer was just a zero. That was horrible economic damage.” Overton has studied the spill as part of LSU’s contract with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (3-4-11)

'Fog of Research' Clouds Study of Oil's Effects in Gulf

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, is quoted in this article saying, "You know, the military talks about the fog of war. In this particular case, we are dealing with a sort of fog of research." D'Elia is referring to all the research being done in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Gulf Coast following the largest oil spill in the United States on record that occurred last April. NPR (2-24-11)

In Memory of Dr. Gregory Stone

Dr. Gregory Stone, Professor in the School of the Coast & Environment and Director of the Coastal Studies Institute passed away Thursday morning, February 17, 2011. Greg was a Distinguished Professor and an esteemed scholar and colleague and will be missed by all of us.  His death is a major loss to the fields of Coastal Morphodynamics and Coastal Zone Management in which he was an internationally renowned leader. Please keep Greg's family in your thoughts and prayers. 

Visitation:
Monday, February 21, 2011
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rabenhorst Downtown, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA
Memorial Service:
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Rabenhorst Downtown, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA

 

Click to read Obituary.

 

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the LSU Foundation, Coastal Studies Institute in Greg’s name. Donations can be made online via the LSU Foundation or you can mail a check made payable to LSU Foundation to:

 

LSU Foundation

3838 West Lakeshore Drive

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

A Tribute to Dr. Gregory Stone

Dr. Greg Stone was a very well respected member of the LSU School of the Coast and Environment Faculty who served as Director of the Coastal Studies Institute and taught plus advised graduate students in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences.  He graduated with a BSc degree (Honors) from the University of Ulster (Ireland), a MS degree from the University of W. Florida, and a PhD from the University of Maryland in 1990.  After serving as a research associate and visiting professor at the University of W. Florida, Dr. Stone accepted a position in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at LSU.   In 1997 he accepted a faculty position in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences and became a member of the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI).  His interest in the oceanic processes that drive changes in coasts of different types made him a perfect fit for CSI and its 50 year history of similar research work.  Dr. Stone quickly established himself as an internationally respected coastal scientist who produced cutting-edge research and attracted millions of dollars of research support to LSU.  As part of his research he and the CSI Field Support Group developed a series of offshore instrumented stations to monitor wind, waves, and currents that impact the Louisiana coast.  These Wave-Current Information System (WAVCIS) stations produce data that may be accessed on the internet and used by coastal scientists, industry, state agencies, sports fishermen, and others.  This program, a product of Dr. Stone’s vision, has received international recognition for its technical innovation and scientific value.  In addition to being an outstanding researcher, Dr. Stone was an excellent teacher and advisor of graduate students.  His classes provided students with a sound quantitative understanding of coastal change and he prepared his graduate students for life after LSU by assigning them significant research problems, supporting them through graduation, and providing knowledgeable supervision.  Dr. Stone always projected a genuine sense of happiness and feeling of accomplishment when he talked about his students and they loved working for him in the educational environment he created.   He was a valued colleague to his peers at LSU and around the world. He will be sincerely missed as an excellent coastal researcher and friend. ----By: Dr. Harry Roberts, Boyd Professer

Professor Explains Tuna Overfishing

Dr. Brian Fry, Professor in the department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU, was featured in LSU's newspaper following his lecture on "Tuna Talk" at the School of the Coast & Environment on Friday, February 11, 2011. Fry's lecture covered the topic of overfishing. The Daily Reveille (2-14-11)

Lessons From Gulf Spill Slipping Away

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, is quoted in this article in response to the delay in issuing research grants resulting from the BP Oil Spill saying, "A number of people are worried that we are going to miss getting out in the field in the strengths and numbers we need to." The Board in charge of the grant money has yet to put out an RFP with the BP Oil Spill nearing its one-year anniversary. Herald Tribune (2-13-11)

Congratulations to Michelle Zapp

Congratulations to Michelle Zapp on winning the 3rd Annual SC&E Graduate Student Seminar Program. Michelle will receive a $500 travel award for a conference to present her research findings. The title of Michelle's presentation was "Variability in Red Snapper Otolith Microchemistry Among Gulf of Mexico Regions." (2-7-11)

On Gulf Oil Spill's Effects, Doing Science With a Deadline

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, comments on Dr. Wes Tunnell's report to Kenneth R. Feinberg, the administrator of the $20 billion compensation fund for victims of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill saying the report, "suffers from way too much lumping." Cowan is referring to the lumping together of so many species into one, when some species may be affected more than others. The New York Times (2-2-11)

BP Attempts to Clean Up Gulf via Twitter

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, disagrees with BP's post on Twitter which said, "BP's cleanup operations are 'on track' with the goal of cleaning Gulf beaches by spring tourist season. The beaches are beautiful." Overton's analysis was reported to the government in December and said,

"There is so much oil under the sand, mud and oyster shells that tar balls may be washing up for months, if not years." He highly doubts BP could have the beaches clean before spring break. Guardian.co.uk (2-1-11)

Panelists Explore Questions of Oil Spill

Dr. Irving Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, participated in a round table discussion, "Building Bridges" with other scientists and media representatives to discuss communications--lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. RedandBlack.com (1-28-11)

Voice of Reason: LSU’s Ed Overton Named Communicator of the Year by the Public Relations Association of Louisiana

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, was named the Communicator of the Year by the Public Relations Association of Louisiana for his many interviews and media attention following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in April 2010. Dr. Overton was essential to relating information on the spill and clean up efforts to the public for months after the explosion. LSU Press (1-27-11)

DOE: No Environmental Impact Assessment Required

Dr. Harry Roberts, Boyd Professor Emeritus, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, cautions the government agaisnt dredging a channel in the North Sound before doing its homework. Dr. Roberts is quoted as saying, "Opening a channel could in fact shift those sands and perhaps even disperse the sand so that the habitat that you have there now may disappear. I don't know that's the case, but it could be the case.” Cayman 27 (1-26-11)

Gulf-spill Media Darlings Aren't Backing Up Claims

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, contradicts findings by MacDonald and Joye that stated miles of the Gulf was damaged by oil. Overton states in this article that what these two researchers were seeing at that time was natural oil seeps from the rigs in the Gulf. Orlando Sentinel (1-22-11)

Assessing The Health Of The Gulf, Post-Spill

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, joined Dr. Don Boesch, President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and Tracy Collier, Science Advisor at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administation, to discuss long term restoration plans for the Gulf wetlands, wildlife and the impact of the oil on human life. Science Friday (1-21-11). Click on recent episodes and scroll to the bottom of the page, select "Assessing the Health of the Gulf, Post-Spill" to listen to the pod-cast.

Videos from the Society of Environmental Journalists Conference

Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment served on a panel at the SEJ Conference (October 13-17, 2010) to discuss remediation efforts in the Gulf following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Check out the following videos:

Science of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Measuring Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

For more information about the SEJ Conference, click here.

Environmental Journal: URI Lecture Series Focuses on Ocean Concerns

Dr. Edward Laws, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, will take part in new lecture series at University of Rhode Island, Kingston campus and give a lecture on March 1, 2011. The title of Dr. Laws' lecture will be “Oceans and Human Health: The Urgent Need for Sustainable Resource Management." The Providence Journal (1-16-11)

Saving Louisiana: What Can We Do?

Dr. Irving Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, was quoted in this article talking about the rapid recovery of the ecological structure and functions of wetlands when the correct sediment is used during restoration. See what else Dr. Mendelssohn had to say and others about saving the Louisiana wetlands at OnEarth Magazine. (1-7-11)

Oil Gone Easy to the Rescue in the Gulf Oil Spill

Dr. Donald M.Baltz, Professor and Chair, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, was mentioned in this article because of his concerns of the effects of cleanup methods used after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The Momo Blog (1-7-11)

New Book Release from Dr. Ellen Prager, DOCS Alumni

Dr. Ellen Prager has a new book being released in March 2011 titled, "Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Oceans' Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter." The book is published by Univ. Chicago Press.

When viewed from a quiet beach, the ocean, with its rolling waves and vast expanse, can seem calm, even serene. But hidden beneath the sea's waves are a staggering abundance and variety of active creatures, engaged in the never-ending struggles of life to reproduce, to eat, and to avoid being eaten.

With Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime, marine scientist Ellen Prager takes readers deep into the sea to introduce us to an astonishing cast of fascinating and, frankly, bizarre creatures that make the salty depths their home. From the tiny, but voracious arrow worms whose rapacious ways may lead to death by overeating, to the lobsters that battle rivals or seduce mates with their pee, to the sea's masters of disguise, the octopuses, Prager not only brings to life the ocean's odd creatures, but also reveals the strange ways they interact as predators, prey, and in mating. And while these creatures make for some jaw-dropping stories, witness the sea cucumber, which ejects its own internal organs to confuse predators, or the hagfish that ties itself into a knot to keep from suffocating in its own slime, there's far more to Prager's account than her ever-entertaining anecdotes: again and again, she illustrates the crucial connections between life in the ocean and humankind, in everything from our food supply to our economy, in drug discovery, biomedical research, and in popular culture.
Written with a diver's love of the ocean, a novelist's skill at storytelling, and a scientist's deep knowledge, Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime enchants as it educates, enthralling us with the wealth of life in the sea and reminding us of the need to protect it.  

Click through to News to read reviews of the book!

Cleanup of Oil Tainted Gulf Coast Nears End

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article concerning the cleanup process,"This process goes on and on over time/ You clean them up, they come back, you clean them up." Google News/Associated Press (12-31-10)

LSU Boyd Professor Harry Roberts Receives Doris Malkin Curtis Medal

Dr. Harry Roberts, Boyd Professor Emeritus, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU has been awarded the Doris Malkin Curtis Medal for his distinguished service to science in the Gulf of Mexico region from the Gulf Coast Section of the Society for Sedimentary Geology. LSU Press (11-23-10)

Fish Story: Doubt Cast on Depletion of Big Ocean Species

Dr. Joseph Powers, Associate Professor, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, LSU, comments on the conflicting data and catch data from the two methods researched, saying, "We know a great deal about the impact of fishing on a large number of species. However, most of these species are economically important, but not necessarily ecologically important. More research is needed on the indirect effects of fishing on the ecosystem." Live Science (11-18-10)

LSU Oceanography Researcher Discovers Toxic Algae in Open Water

Dr. Sibel Bargu, Assistant Professor, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, LSU, has discovered Toxic Algae in open waters. This is a major concern, as the toxins could easily enter the food chain. LSU Press Release (11-11-10)

Gulf Oil Spill Symposium to Prepare for Long-Term Ecological Impacts

The School of the Coast & Environment participated and co-sponsored the Gulf Oil Spill Symposium held at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL on November 9, 2010. The purpost of the symposium was to establish a long-term strategy for studying and managing any ecological shifts that could occur due to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Maddux News Wire (11-9-10)

LSU Celebrates Anniversary, Homecoming With Events

SC&E will have two exhibits featured during the celebration! Dr. Mark Benfield, Professor, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, LSU, will have a video on display showing the unusual marine life discovered on the Gulf's floor from "The Gulf Serpent Project."

 

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, will have an exhibit that shows how oil eating microbes can be used in oil spills. The Advocate (11-7-10)

Spill Cleanup Proceeds Amid Mistrust

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, analyzed two samples of the substance in question and concluded that it wasn't oil, but an algae outbreak that is common during this time of the year. The New York Times (11-2-10)

Laws Appointed to Editorial Advisory Board of the Forum on Public Policy

Dr. Edward Laws, Professor, Department of Enviornmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Enviornment, LSU, has been appointed to the Editorial Advisory Board of the Forum on Public Policy. This journal is published by the Oxford Round Table. (10-10)

Definitely Algae, Not Oil, Scientists Conclude of Gulf Substance

Dr. Sibel Bargu, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, tested the substance and found it to be algae and not oil. Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, confirmed that the low levels of hydrocarbons found in the samples were consistent with the normal water found in the Gulf. Nola.com (10-27-10) and World Fishing Network (10-28-10)

Oil and Water

Dr. Irving Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is also optimistic with his findings from his research on the impact the Deepwater Horizon oil spill had on grasses and plants that grow in the marshes. The Virginia Gazette 10-27-10)

Lam and Reams Awarded USDA and NSF Grants to Study Community Resilience

Drs. Nina Lam and Margaret Reams, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU have been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation for a project jointly funded to develop a model to study communtiy resilience, make comparison between different communities, and last, input and apply data into the model from two spatial scales. LSU Press Release (10-22-10)

Six Months Later, What Did We Learn From the Oil Disaster in the Gulf?

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, talks about how unprepared the United States was for this huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He also states that he hopes we all learn from the experience. CNN (10-19-10)

Report: 250 Square-Mile Dead Zone In La. Sound

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, agrees that the diversion probably caused the low oxygen levels and is quoted in this article saying, "When you add freshwater and nutrients to an estuary you are going to have consequences." Daily World (10-13-10)

NOAA Administrator Visited LSU for Input and Opinions

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, is quoted in this article saying, “Dr. Lubchenco came to visit our faculty and tour our facilities because she knows about LSU’s extensive capabilities to understand and respond to the situation in the Gulf. It’s here at LSU. We have some of the best, brightest and most active researchers in the country focusing on the Gulf of Mexico right now. They have broad experience with the impacts of oil and gas industry and know the region intimately.” LSU Press Release (10-08-10)

Louisiana Revival: Eco-Engineering On a Giant Scale

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, reponds to " the burning question" - remove the oil or wait for nature to take its course? Turner's response warned of any interference with mother nature could result in backfiring.

Dr. Harry Roberts, Boyd Professor Emeritus in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU, looks at the big picture and talks about improving the marshes. UrbanEco (10-07-10)

LSU Researchers Receive Grant to Determine if Salt was Mover and Shaker in Ancient Society

Boyd Professor Harry Roberts and Dr. Karen McKee (Adjunct Professor), Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, LSU are among other researchers who received a $250,041 National Science Foundation grant to study the salt industry of the ancient Maya. LSU Press Release and EurekAlert! (10-07-10)

Oil Spill Panel: White House Blocked Federal Scientists From Releasing Worst-Case Scenario For Gulf Disaster

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, weighs in on the subject, saying this about the report "the political process was in charge and science really does not have the role that was touted." Setyoufree News (10-7-10)

Panel: White House Blocked Release Of Worst-Case Scenario For Gulf Oil Spill

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article saying, “The semipolitical impact was in calculate and power rattling does not hit the persona that was touted.” International News Portal and A Minute News (10-7-10, 10-6-10)

A Science Policy Webinar: Wetlands Function and Response to Extreme Events

Dr. John Day, Professor Emeritus, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environemtment at LSU, served as a panelist for this webinar that discussed the value of wetlands in serving as a buffering system to the impacts of extreme events such as hurricanes, floods, fire, and oil spills will be presented. News Wise (10-4-10)

Professor: Well Blowout’s Effects To Last, Will Impact University

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted saying, "The spill is over, but the saga of the spill is not. We're going to be dealing with the Deepwater Horizon incident many years to come." The Daily Reveille (10-3-10)

LSU Keeps Eye On Marsh

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is searching for a method to measure how the salt marshes respond to conditions out of the ordinary over a period of time, such as the recent Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Turner is one of a group of researchers working on a grant from the National Science Foundation. The Advocate (10-2-10)

Gulf Oil Lingering on the Sea Floor

Dr. Robert Carney, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, had this to say on the subject, “Deep-sea animals, in general, tend to produce fewer offspring than shallower water animals, so if they are going to have a population impact, it may be more sensitive in deep water. There is also some evidence that deep-sea animals live longer than shallower water species, so the impact may stay around longer.” Health News Digest (10-2-10)

Scientists Battle For Gulf Oil Spill Research Funds

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article saying, "This is like trying to do forensic work on a very old crime scene — the murder occurred months ago, the body's decayed and animals walked off with the rest.” RedOrbit.com (9-30-10)

NOAA Official Visits LSU

Jane Lubchenco, the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, visited Dr. Ed Overton's, Professor Emeritus, School of the Coast & Environment, laboratory to view testing metholds used on the water for the recent oil spill and to Dr. John White's, Assistant Professor, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, laboratory to see the testing in progress on wetland soils for oil content. The Daily Reveille (9-30-10)

NOAA: "Stay Tuned" For Oil Information

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, stated that Jane Lubchenco, NOAA Administration, asked to meet with researchers from LSU who are dealing directly with the Gulf oil spill.

Dr. Gregory Stone, Director of the Coastal Studies Institute, SC&E, LSU, was glad to see that there was more to the president's report on the oil spill and voiced concerns over storms and "wave-generated currents" in the Gulf pushing oil onto the Louisiana coast.

Dr. Ed Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Enviornmental Sciences, SC&E, LSU spoke about the problems of getting access to oil samples in order to do research after the oil spill. The Advocate (9-30-10)

Louisiana Optical Network Used to Study Hurricane Effects on Spilled Oil

Carola Kaiser, an IT Analyst at the School of the Coast & Environment, is part of the research group working on a model to study the effects of hurricanes and other severe storms on the movement of spilled oil in the Gulf of Mexico. HPC Wire (9-29-10)

Gold Rush On the Gulf: Researchers Clamor for Cash

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article concerning the 'then, now and later' aspects of research on the Gulf ecosystem, "This is like trying to do forensic work on a very old crime scene — the murder occurred months ago, the body's decayed and animals walked off with the rest." Associated Press Google News (9-29-10)

LSU Professors Offered Contracts

British Petroleum has been interested in several professors in the School of the Coast and Environment. This article gives a brief statement of the rundown on scientists who are under contract with BP, which include factulty memebers from SC&E, Dr. Irv Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences and Dr. Mark Benfield, also in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences. Dr. Gregory Stone, Director of the Coastal Studies Institute, refused to sign on the dotted line after he learned that his research would most likely be used in court.

Also mentioned in the article is Dr. Robert (Bob) Carney, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, who stated that some of the data collected is now "falling under a cloak of secrecy."

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, SC&E, is also mentioned in the article. Overton has done work for the Federal Government following the oil spill.

And finally, the Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment, Chris D' Elia states that other scientists in SC&E are doing independent research and finding funding hard to come by. The Advocate (9-27-10)

LSU Honors 10 Researchers Integral to Oil Spill Response at First Home Football Game

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences and Dr. Richard Shaw, Professor and Associate Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, were honored at the LSU-Mississippi State football game on September 18, 2010. See video below. LSU Press Release (9-23-10)

After the Kill

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is worried about the heavier oils that went into the Gulf of Mexico after the oil spill that have probably sunk to the Gulf floor and could potentially enter the food chain. The Economist (9-23-10)

LSU Researchers Receive Two NSF Grants to Study Oil and Dispersant Contamination

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, has been awarded an NSF grant to study the long and short term reaction of the coastal marshes from chemicals in dispersants used in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. LSU Press Release (9-22-10)

Oil Disaster Draws New Attention to Louisiana's Coastal Erosion

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast and Environment at LSU, talks about the setback of restoring Louisiana wetlands caused from the April Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. See the video and read the transcript at PBS News. (9-22-10)

Catonsville Native Studies How to Protect Louisiana's Wetlands

Lauren Land, a graduate student in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment, is working on developing a technique to stabalize sediments at marsh restoration sites during the critical period of time when plants are developing root systems. Land's system involves using an injection site where polymers would be added to the sediment. Land's graduate advisor is Dr. Robert P. Gambrell in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences. Catonsville Times (9-22-10)

LSU Acknowledges Oil Spill Researchers at Football Game

The School of the Coast & Environment is represented in this video by Dr. Richard Shaw, Associate Dean and Dr. Edward Overton, DOCS. You can view the video at LSU Recognizes Oil Spill Researchers. (9-21-10)

LA Residents Face Long Battle With Oil

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, warns residents of Louisiana that they may be fighting the oil battle for years saying, "There might not be fresh oil coming ashore, but there's a lot of residual oil that will continue to show up, especially in those places that were hard-hit." UPI.com (9-20-10)

Oil Spill Keeps LSU Researchers Busy

The Daily Reveille spoke with several researchers from the School of the Coast & Environment following the weekly SC&E Seminar on September 17, 2010. Dr. Kim de Mutsert, Post Doc in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, discused her study on the long term effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the growth and mortality of brown shrimp. Dr. Crystal Johson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences is doing research on the ability of natural bacteria to adapt to environmental changes, such as the recent oil in the Gulf of Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Daily Reveille (9-20-10)

Shreveport Garden Club to Host Wetland Talk

Dr. Robert Twilley, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment, will be one of the featured guest speakers at the Shreveport Garden Club meeting on September 28, 2010. Shreveport Times (9-19-10)

BP's Well is Sealed, But the Tragedy in the Gulf May Be Far From Over

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU tells the press that oil in the Gulf of Mexico will be washing up on beaches for the next 10 to 20 years possibly. The Bellingham Herald and Los Angeles Times (9-18-10)

Federal Gulf Oil Report: A Flawed Abuse of Science - Gulf Crisis is Not Over

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, School of the Coast & Environment, expressed concern over dispersed oil deep down in the ocean taking its sweet time breaking down. Baltimore Chronicle & Sentinel (9-16-10)

Who Pulled the Plug on University of Minnesota's "Troubled Waters"?

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, was one of the scientific reviewers for the film "Troubled Waters" to verify scientific facts. The film has been delayed in airing due to unknown circumstances. Daily Planet (9-16-10)

NOAA Vows To Seek Out Oil, Even Deep Sea

Dr. Richard Shaw, Professor and Associate Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted as saying, "We have been very fortunate that a good amount of the oil has been trapped offshore and has stayed at depth in very deep waters off the continental shelf." Fox News Channel 8 (9-15-10)

Coating of Oil Found on Part of Gulf Sea Floor

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, had a different view saying that the heavier components of the oil makes up only about 1% of the oil that was spilled. The Portland Press Herald (9-14-10)

Storms Will Spread Subsurface Oil, LSU Researcher Claims

Dr. Gregory Stone, Director of the WAVCIS Program and Professor in the Coastal Studies Institute, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, says that he disagrees with the government's report of 75% of the oil having disappeared. Stone's accessement comes after a flyover of the heavily oiled area in the Gulf of Mexico. Daily Comet (9-14-10)

Spill Damage Is Argued

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, doubts that much of the Deepwater Horizon oil is resting on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico, pointing out that the heavier components only account for about 1% of the oil spilled into the Gulf.

 

Dr. Robert Carney, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU says that the big question that we need answered is "exactly how much oil is at the bottom and how many organisms are being exposed?"

Winston Salem Journal (9-14-10)

LSU Scientist: “Significant amounts” of oil “still poised to come into Louisiana’s sensitive coastal marshes” — “Just a matter of time”

Dr. Gregory Stone, Director of the WAVCIS Program and Professor in the Coastal Studies Institute, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, was quoted above in an article in the Florida Oil Spill Law. (9-13-10)

Laws Named Outstanding Limnology & Oceanography Reviewer

Dr. Edward Laws, Professor, Department of Enviornmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Enviornment, LSU, was named one of two outstanding reviewers for Limnology & Oceangraphy Bulletin. (09-10)

EPA: Louisiana's Sand Berms Not Stopping Much Oil

Dr. Gregory Stone, Director of the WAVCIS Program and Professor in the Coastal Studies Institute, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article as saying, "Anything that would be undertaken to allow for the introduction of sediment onto the beaches and barrier islands is a plus." Stone also states that the job must be done right. Daily Comet (9-10-10)

Researcher Says Much Oil Remains In the Gulf

Dr. Gregory Stone, Director of the WAVCIS Program and Professor in the Coastal Studies Institute, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, says there is still a good bit of oil in the Gulf based on his observations from data from the Wave-Current-Surge Information System, or WAVCIS. International Business Times (9-10-10)

BP Considering Another "Top Kill" To Help Contain Well

Dr. Gregory Stone, Director of the WAVCIS Program and Professor in the Coastal Studies Institute, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, will continue to monitor the oil below the Gulf's surface. Read more about their observations on the oil left in the Gulf from the BP spill and Dr. Stone's belief on why the oil will drift out to sea but ultimately end up back on land due to storm suges. The Advocate (9-9-10)

LSU’s WAVCIS Director Says Oil Remains Below Surface, Will Come Ashore in Pulses
Dr. Gregory Stone, Director of the WAVCIS Program and Professor in the Coastal Studies Institute, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, had this to say about the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, “It’s most definitely there. It’s just a matter of time before it makes itself known again.” LSU News and KATC.com and EurekAlert! (9-8-10)

Microbes Are Eating BP Oil Without Using Up Oxygen

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, says that the application of dispersants was risky but necessary and states that it may be years before we know if there will be any long-term damages from using them. Assoicated Press/Google News (9-8-10)

Oil Gone Easy to the Rescue in Gulf Oil Spill

Dr. Donald Baltz, Professor and Chairman, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU, cautioned that the oil spill clean up methods used with dispersants could cause more harm than the oil spill itself. Karmsundbk.com (9-3-10)

Why Is So Much Oil In the Gulf of Mexico?

Dr. Harry Roberts, Professor Emeritus, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU explains why the Gulf of Mexico is so popular for oil and gas exploration saying, "It's a place where the conditions were right to create the kind of proteo-materials for oil and gas. Plus the geology was right to transform them and then to trap them." Live Science (9-2-10)

The Great Vanishing Oil Spill

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast and Environment at LSU, weighs in on the stimulation of biodegradaion in the Gulf of Mexico after the BP oil spill and tells why it wasn't done. Technology Review (8-27-10)

Hope for Gulf Recovery

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

is quoted as saying this about the recovery in the Gulf, “Right now things seem to be improving a lot faster than I ever dreamed. Softpedia (8-25-10)

The True Fallout From the BP Oil Spill May Be Unimaginable

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

commented on the discovery of oil plumes in the Gulf saying, “We took a lot of heat. There was a great deal of denial.” Macleans.ca.com (8-25-10)

Officials: Lack of Oxygen Likely Killing Thousands of Fish in Gulf

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast and Environment at LSU, said before jumping to a conclusion as to what caused the fish kill had this to say about the matter, "A lot of things can explain a fish kill, which is not uncommon during the hot summer weather in Louisiana.” Tucson Sentinel (8-24-10)

Gulf Oil Spill Jitters: A False Fish Kill Alarm

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast and Environment at LSU, had these comments on the recent fish kill, "It goes to show how sensitive the [oil spill] issue is. You can imagine the angst of a lot of people in the seafood industry when they hear about a fish kill now." Los Angeles Times (8-24-10)

Defender of the Deep: The Oil's Not Gone

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

weighs in on Samantha Joye's research saying that Joye should be commended for her dedication to research. CNN (8-24-10)

Gulf Oil Spill: Has It Caused a New Fish Kill? (Updated)

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast and Environment at LSU, had these words of caution regarding blaming the oil spill on fish kill, "A lot of things can explain a fish kill, which is not uncommon during the hot summer weather in Louisiana. It could be the nutrient-rich environment with a lot of heat. It could be rainfall. It could be changes in salinity or upwelling from disturbed sediment." Los Angeles Times (8-23-10)

First Catch From the Gulf: Is the Seafood Safe?

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast and Environment at LSU, commented on the seafood coming from the Gulf as being "probably the safest seafood entering the U.S. market right now." USA Today (8-23-10)

Should Science Take Sides In The Gulf?

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Dean and Professor at the School of the Coast & Environment at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, explains his view in this video. NPR (8-20-10)

Scientists Split On Gulf Oil Estimates

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

said the government's estimates is based on a guess and stated, "The bottom line is that we really don't know how much oil is left out there." NPR (8-19-10)

Gulf Surface Cleaner, But Questions Lurk Far Below

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

says that the environment and the Gulf waters down to 100 feet are rapidly recovering from the oil spill. Associated Press Google News (8-18-10)

A Crude Awakening in the Gulf of Mexico

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, has this to say about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, "The spill is completely foreign. We're adding a toxic chemical to a natural system." Smithsonian.com (8-18-10)

Toxic Oil Found Deep on Gulf Seafloor?

Dr. Robert Carney, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU advises that caution should be used in interpreting the results of a research cruise and sediment samples taken showing toxic oil. National Geographic (8-18-10)

LSU Professor Brings Independent Science to Gulf Oil Debate

Dr. Vincent Wilson, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU is featured in this video and article talking about the carcinogenic effects of the oil and chemical dispersants in the air that people are breathing along the Gulf coast. Spot.us (8-18-10)

Scientists: 79% of Oil Spill Still 'Lurks in the Deep'

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

was quoted in this article saying, “I think we are going to be flabbergasted by the little amount of damage that has been caused by this spill.” Digital Journal (8-18-10)

Oil Budget Controversy

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, had his comments that were posted in The New York Times included in this article also. Overton stated that he thinks the figures released are close to being "on the mark." Bud's Offshore Energy (8-18-10)

Scientists Tussle Over Gulf Oil Tally

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

commented on University of Georgia's assessment on the rate of natural breakdown of the oil by bacteria and said that the estimates by the Georgia researchers was too pessimistic. The New York Times (8-17-10)

Gulf Surface Looks Cleaner, But Woes Lurk Below

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

said that the water in the Gulf looks good down to 100 feet but oil degrades much slower the deeper it is in the water. Salon.com (8-17-10)

Scientists Say as Much as 79% of Oil Remains in Gulf of Mexico

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU,

gives his opinion on the the matter saying, “I don’t think it’s still lurking out there.” Bloomberg (8-17-10)

Gulf Oil Spill: NSF Awards Grant to Study Effects of Oil and Dispersants on Louisiana Salt Marsh Ecosystem
Dr. R. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast and Environment at LSU, has been awarded a rapid response grant from the National Science Foundation. Turner will be studying the impacts of the oil and dispersants on the salt marshes. National Science Foundation Press Release (8-16-10)

Carol Browner Says Three-quarters of the Oil Spilled in the Gulf is Gone

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, didn't want to put an exact number on the oil that is now gone, but said that he believes that the "majority" of it is gone. Politifact.com (8-16-10)

Is Gulf Seafood Safe?

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, had this to say about a water sample being analyzed, “indications [are] that there was a dispersant signal in the sample.” Prison Planet (8-16-10)

Gulf Marshlands Show Some Signs of Recovery

Dr. Irving Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, says that all the preliminary wetlands data prove to be promising for fishermen and others who depend on the environment for seafood production. The Portland Press Herald (8-13-10)

BP Spill May Be Least of Gulf Woes as Farm Chemicals Invade, Wetlands Sink

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, had this comment to make about the $500 million BP said they were putting up for environmental research, “If BP has put the money aside like they say and they don’t renege on their promises and the government doesn’t strip the money for other purposes -- and those are big ifs -- there should be money for studies of this spill.” Bloomberg (8-12-10)

In La., Signs of Regrowth Seen in Oiled Marshes

Dr. Irv Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, says so far it is good news for the fishermen who depend on the ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico. Associated Press/Google News (8-12-10)

Damage Done Anybody’s Guess

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted saying, “What we don’t know is what damage is done…to little creatures down below the surface or just at the surface. That we never see.” Gulf Breeze News (8-12-10)

Hope That Oil Spill Effects Already Waning Causes Debate Among Scientists

Dr. Irv Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, is quoted in this article saying, "My gut feeling, based on what I have seen, based on the recovery people have observed, I doubt that the impact to the wetlands is going to create a significant problem for our coastal fisheries." Dr. Robert Carney, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, had this to say about the oil in the Gulf at this point in time, "The message is a lot of the oil is still in the ocean. It just may have been diluted down to a level where it becomes problematic to detect it." The Palm Beach Post News (8-11-10)

Scientists Allege Federal Gov't Tried to Muffle Plume Findings

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU, comments on the government's recent report on the oil from the BP spill being mostly gone from the Gulf saying, “There is a lot of uncertainty in these figures.” Herald de Paris (8-10-10)

Scientists Find Changes to Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone

Dr. R. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU is mentioned in this article as predicting a larger than normal dead zone this year. Physorg.com (8-9-10)

Should U.S. Oil Royalties Pay for Studies of BP Spill’s Environmental Impact?

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU

thinks that the newly named Bureau of Ocean Energy should foot the bill and pay for research into the environmental impacts the Deepwater Horizon OIl Spill has had on the ecosystem in the Gulf and the along the coastlines. Reuters (8-9-10)

Hurricane Could Bring Bureaucratic Delays to Gulf

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU had this to say about the delay in testing oil, "This is insane," Overton said. "You don't have to hold up the cleanup just because you're waiting on a crazy lab analysis." Associated Press/Google News (8-9-10)

Crabs Provide Evidence Oil Tainting Gulf Food Web

Dr. Richard Condrey, Professor in the Depatment of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU had this to say about crabs, "a living repository of information on the health of the environment." Associated Press Google News (8-9-10)

In the Gulf, Scientific Questions Still Lurk Beneath the Surface

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU

is quoted as saying, "What we don't know is what damage is done ... to little creatures down below the surface -- or just at the surface -- that we never see." CNN (8-9-10)

BP Spill To Take 'Decades' To Recover

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU had this to say about the oil dispersing, "What dispersed oil does is eventually dissolve into sea water and the ultimate fate of that is ultimately undetermined." Press TV (8-8-10)

LSU’s Ed Overton Testified Before Senate on Use of Dispersants

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU gives expert testimony before the Oversight Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the use of oil dispersants in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. LSU Press Release (8-5-10)

Construction of Sand Berms Continues on Louisiana Coast

Dr. Harry Roberts, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU had this to say about the berms, "The need, and certainly the pressing need, for those sand berms has diminished, regardless of whose side you're on. The state needs to revisit that issue."

The Times-Picayune (8-5-10)

Gulf Residents Wonder How Long BP, Government Will Stick Around for Cleanup

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU talks about assessing the ecological damage from the BP spill in this interview with PBS. (8-5-10)

Much Gulf Oil Remains, Deeply Hidden and Under Beaches

Dr. Robert Carney, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU comments on the government's oil spill report saying the figures included in the report are "notorious" for being uncertain. National Geographic Daily News (8-5-10)

Experts: Oil Dispersants Not Much of a Threat to Gulf Critters

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the School of the Coast of Environment at LSU says the components of the dispersants are well known and “will have minimum impact on the environment.” Florida Today (8-5-10)

BP Jams Gulf Well With Drilling Mud

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanagraphy and Coastal Sciences at LSU responds to the federal report of where all the oil went to by saying, "It looks like a nice neat diagram, but I have no confidence in it whatsoever." Los Angeles Times (8-5-10)

Scientists Question Government Team's Report of Shrinking Gulf Oil Spill

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU was one of the scientists questioning the report saying, "We don't have the foggiest idea [about how to measure the oil] with that precision." The Washington Post (8-5-10)

Did US Gulf Coast Dodge an Ecological Bullet?

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, in the Department of Environmental Sciences at LSU says, "It probably is a bit too early to declare victory." Whatever damage is going to be done has been done. We just don't know what that is yet." Money Control (8-5-10)

Success on Surface, Questions Below

Dr. Robert Carney, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU compared EPA's testing on the effect of oil on shrimp and fish that only lasted a couple of days to gorging on sugar and testing immediately after. The Wall Street Journal (8-4-10)

Officials, Experts Voice Concerns on Dispersants

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU responds to federal officials who pointed out problems with the sampling and monitoring process. Courthouse News Service (8-4-10)

The Politics of Dispersants

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences at LSU comments on the tests run on silverside and shrimp. Overton said they were sensible species on which to run tests, but they “have no relevance at all to the deep sea.’’ The New York Times (8-4-10)

Looking For the Oil? NOAA Says It's Mostly Gone

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU thinks the report should have included a broader range of numbers but said he is overall pleased with the government's report. Google News/Associated Press (8-4-10)

Oil Spill Calculations Stir Debate on Damage

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU expressed concern over the dispersed oil in the deep ocean not breaking down quickly. The New York Times (8-4-10)

BP Well Flow Stopped With Mud Plug

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU gives his assessment of the Gulf's environment saying, "There is no way enough information has been collected so far to get an accurate assessment." Statesman.com (8-4-10)

Gulf Dead Zone Has Doubled, Experts Say

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU predicted the size of the Dead Zone earlier this year and was very close to the actual size of the Dead Zone verified by Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. Courthouse News Service (8-3-10)

Gulf Seafood Declared Safe; Fishermen Not So Sure

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at LSU states that the information he has reviews and testing shows that the seafood in the newly opened Gulf waters is safe to eat. Google News Associated Press (8-3-10)

BP May Not Need Oil Relief Wells After All

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU had this to say about shutting off the oil leak, "Frankly, if they can shut it off from the top and it's a good, permanent seal, I'll take it." Freep.com (8-3-10)

Gulf Oil Spill: Not As Bad As We First Thought?

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU

states that the environment starts to recover quickly after the oil is cleaned but "there is damage that you and I can't see, and it won't be obvious for several years, maybe a decade or two." The Christian Science Monitor (8-2-10)

BP May Go Different Way in Dealing With Gulf Oil Leak

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU had this to say about the latest top kill effort by BP, “Frankly, if they can shut it off from the top and it’s a good, permanent seal, I’ll take it. A bird in the hand at this point is a good thing with this deal.” MarcoIslandFlorida.com (8-2-10)

About Those Beaches and That Seafood...

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Environment is mentioned on this blog saying "Mother Nature's work" was responsible for dispersing some of the oil. No Quarter (8-2-10)

The Other Gulf Stain

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at the School of the Coast and Environment estimates the size of the Gulf's Dead Zone this year to be 19,141 to 21,941 square kilometers, (average 20,140 square kilometers or 7,776 square miles). The New York Times (8-2-10)

Some Say Effects of Deepwater Horizon Spill Will be Felt For Years to Come

Dr. Ed Overton, Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU is optimistic about the recovery and says, "We're going to continue seeing oil coming ashore, and there will be impacts, but the bacteria in the Gulf are doing a better job of handling the oil than anybody expected." Press Register (8-1-10)

Oil Dispersant Safety Questions Won't Go Away

Dr. Edward Overton, Porfessor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Enviornment explains how the oil in the Gulf is degraded on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric: "Oil - particularly fresh oil - globs to itself and dispersants are soap. They break the oil into tiny little droplets and allow the bacteria to degrade it." CBS News (8-1-10)

Experts Baffled By 4 Million Lost Barrels

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU says he is concerned about some of the habitats being exposed to low concentrations of toxins, while Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences at LSU states that he thinks the environment is now in the "recovery" stage. The Sydney Morning Herald (7-31-10)

By Hiring Gulf Scientists, BP May Be Buying Silence

Dr. Richard Shaw, Associate Dean at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU tells NPR News that he is concerned about the amount of "brainpower" that BP is buying up. Read the article and see the video at NPR (7-31-10)

Grasses Hold Key to Marsh Survival After Oil Spill

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU explains several different ways that the oil can kill marsh grasses, but also states that most marsh grasses are not "wimpy." Star Tribune (7-31-10)

Flyover Shows Progress In Gulf

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU tells the press what is happening to the oil in simple terms saying that the hot temperatures of summer are helping to degrade the oil, as well as bacteria feeding on the oil. NPR (7-30-10)

Oil Hunt Continues in the Gulf

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU is waiting to view a report from NOAA that will show where all the oil went. Portier says that " the ordeal is far from over." Read the article and listen to the interview at WWL (7-29-10)

Majority of Spilled Oil in Gulf of Mexico Unaccounted For in Government Data

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU says his research has found concentrations of oil several miles from the wellhead and is quoted here saying, "That stuff's somewhere." The Washington Post (7-29-10)

Mystery in the Gulf: Where is All the Spilled Oil?

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment says, "That stuff's somewhere," and "If the water's contaminated, the animals are going to be contaminated." Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in Environmental Sciences at LSU thinks that "the acute damage -- we've seen it, it's (already) been done. And that the environment is in the recovery stage." The Portland Press Hearald (7-29-10)

Missing Oil in Gulf Baffles Officials

Aixin Hou, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at LSU says, "Oil that climbed up 5,000 feet from the site of the well and then traveled more than 40 miles to near shorelines could have evaporated or been gobbled up by tiny microbes in the Gulf that feast on oil." USA Today (7-29-10)

Freedom of Spill Research Threatened

Dr. Robert Carney, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU states that operating a ROV amounts to approximately $50,000 a day, while Dr. Christopher D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU is quoted saying, "We need a federal source of funding very badly that does not have anything to do with the NRDA settlement." Dr. Michael Wascom, Associate Professor and attorney specilizing in coastal management (same school), explains why there is a high need for academic researchers by BP. Nature (7-28-10)

Special Report: Watching Grass Grow in the Gulf, and Cheering!

Dr. Irv Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU is optimistic about marsh grasses recovery. Dr. Qianxin Lin, Assistant Professor in the same department, gives four examples of how to get the oil out of the wetlands. Read more about his reseach on the mashes and grass recovery at News Daily and Reuters (7-28-10)

5 Best Tuesday Columns

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, dean and professor at the School of the Coast & Environment had his comments from the Washington Post article on July 27, 2010 included in the "5 Best Tuesday Coumns" at The Atlantic Wire. (7-27-10)

Gulf Oil Spill: Where Has the Oil Gone?

Dr. Ed Overton, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences at LSU tells how bacteria in the Gulf of Mexico is eating the oil in a natural process. The Christian Science Monitor. (7-27-10)

Research On Gulf Oil Spill Shouldn't Take a Backseat To Litigation

Dr. Christopher D'Elia, dean and professor at the School of the Coast & Environment, and the co-author of this article discuss the scientific research iniatives, the initial $500 million promised by BP for reseach and the dwindling amount of $30 million allocated for the purpose. The article ends with a fitting statement to the situation, "We hope this can still be a "teachable moment" and not another lost opportunity." The Washington Post. (7-27-10)

BP Oil Spill: Clean-Up Crews Can't Find Crude in the Gulf

Dr. Ed. Overton, Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU is quoted as saying, "[It's] mother nature doing her job." ABC World News. (7-26-10)

How Oil-Damaged Marsh Grasses Recover Could Affect Gulf's Rebound

Dr. Eugene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU talks about the damage the oil from the BP spill could do to marsh grasses. The Washington Post. (7-26-10)

BP Accused of Trying To Buy Top Scientists

Dr. Irving Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU was offered a contract with BP. He had these remarks on the subject, " Good scientists, they're going to be giving their opinions based on the facts ... What's most important is credibility." The New Zealand Herald. (7-24-10)

BP Tries to Limit Release of Oil Spill Research

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Dean and Professor of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU comments on the contracts offered to scientists by BP saying, "I personally wouldn't care to have my research limited, but if I wanted to do work on the spill and this was the only way I could get out there and get working on it, I don't think there's a lot of alternatives." ABC News (7-23-10)

Hands-off Approach to Oiled Marshes — Strategic or Chaotic?

Dr. Ralph Portier, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of the Coast & Environment proposed emplying oil-eating microbes into the contaminated Gulf waters in the form of Pristine II to aid in the clean-up efforts. MSNBC (7-22-10)

BP Accused of 'Buying Academic Silence'

Dr. Irving Mendelssohn, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU is quoted in this article saying, "What I'm doing wouldn't be any different than if I was consulting with one of the natural resource trustees. I am giving my objective opinion about recovery." Read the entire article at BBC News. (7-22-10)

Searching for the Gulf Oil Leak's Victims

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Dean and Professor from the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU is alarmed and states, "There are lot of unknowns." BBC (7-21-10)

Oil Harder to Find on Surface of Gulf After BP Halts Flow

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus in the School of the Coast & Environment is quoted from his interview with Lizzy O'Leary in this article printed in Bloomberg. and Bloomberg Businessweek. (7-21-10)

Messy Cleanup of BP Oil Spill Damages the Gulf

Dr. James Cowan, Professor in the Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences at LSU tells Associated Press that "It will suck in a lot of biology," in commenting on the large skimmer called "The Whale." Google News/Associated Press (7-21-10)

Overton Says Dispersants Help Protect BP Cleanup Workers: Video

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU explains the use of dispersants in the clean-up efforts of BP in the Gulf oil spill and also how the use of dispersants aid those working in the clean-up areas in this video. The Washington Post (7-21-10)

Our Views: LSU to Research Oil Leak Issues

Drs. Crystal Johnson and Ed Laws have been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to study the impact of oil on naturally occurring bacteria found in oyster beds. The Advocate (7-21-10)

Louisiana Blue Crabs Are Tough, But Gulf Oil Spill Might Be Tougher

Dr. Richard Condrey, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU says he is worried about hydrocarbon pollution being transmitted to crabs through contaminated food sources. The Times Picayune (7-20-10)

BP Launches Effort to Control Scientific Research of Oil Disaster

Dr. Richard Shaw, Associate Dean and Professor at the School of the Coast & Environment is quoted in this article saying, "The science is already suffering." Read the complete article at Grist (7-20-10)

Oil Debate Spills Into Academe

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Professor and Dean at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU is quoted in Inside Higher Ed as saying this about the situation, “The federal government is trying to maximize the damage assessment for obvious reasons, and the oil companies are trying to minimize it.” ((7-20-10)

BP Oil Debate Spills Into Academia

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Professor and Dean at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU talks about both sides, BP and the government wanting to hire scientists and made this comment, "You're working for a side with a financial interest" either way, he says. USA Today (7-20-10)

Natural Gas Threat Will Continue Long After Well is Capped

Dr. Robert Carney, Professor of Oceanography at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU tells how the methane bubbles found near the BP well will affect the smaller creatures living in the Gulf of Mexico and the ones living in deep waters. Shreveport Times (7-18-10)

CS Sunday: Leak Capped

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Enviornment at LSU is tapped in this video to talk about the recovery of the environment from the BP oil leak. Clean Skies (7-18-10)

LSU Professor Testifies Before Spill Panel

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU testifies before the Presidential Panel on the Gulf Oil Spill in this video. Clean Skies (7-19-10)

BP Buying Up Gulf Scientists for Legal Defense, Newspaper Alleges

Dr. Richard Shaw, Associate Dean and Professor at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU talks about the BP contracts with individual scientists and how they are affecting university research. The Times Picayune (7-16-10)

BP Launches Effort To Control Scientific Research of Oil Disaster

Dr. Richard Shaw, Associate Dean and Professor at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU talks about the lack of funding from the government to study the recent Gulf of Mexico oil leak. Think Progress (7-16-10)

BP Buys up Gulf Scientists for Legal Defense, Roiling Academic Community

Dr. Richard Shaw, Associate Dean and Professor at the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU says the BP contracts are hindering the scientific community's ability to monitor the affects of the Gulf spill. Al.com (7-16-10)

Professor: BP Tight With Funds

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Professor and Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU spoke with the Baton Rouge Rotory Club about the School's involvement in oil spill research and the recent BP "blowout." The Advocate. (7-15-10)

How Much Damage Has the BP Oil Spill Done?

Dr. Ed Overton, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment at LSU discusses how the oil washed onshore will be eaten up by microbes. BBC News. (7-13-10)

Capping BP Well Would Be Just 'End of the Beginning'

Dr. Edward Overton, Professor Emeritus, School of the Coast & Environment quotes Churchill regarding the possible success of BP's latest effort to contain the oil spill. Get the scoop at AOL News. (7-14-10)

BP Well May Be Capped, But Oil's Damage is Far From Over

Dr. Chris D'Elia, Dean of the School of the Coast & Environment at LSU talks about the effect of the oil spill and the toxicity levels on marine life. Google News. (7-13-10)

Dead Zone in Gulf Linked to Ethanol Production

Dr. Gene Turner, Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast & Environment says that the nitrate runoff from corn fields is a major contributor to the Dead Zone. San Francisco Chronicle. (7-6-10)

Making the Rounds: Scientist from Fairhope Finds Sudden Fame Amid Oil Spill

He's been making the rounds on talk shows, news stations, and workshops giving advice on the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill, Ed Overton, Professor Emeritus, School of the Coast and Environment, has been on call 24/7 since the spill. Overton looks forward to getting back to his retirement in his hometown of Fairhope, AL. AL.com Blog. (7-5-10)

System in Place to Try to Minimize Impact of Oil in Lake Pontchartrain

Dr. Nan Walker, Earth Scan Laboratory at the School of the Coast & Environment says that the strong easterly winds were responsible for pushing the oil into Lake Pontchartrain this past weekend. Times Picayune/NOLA.com (7-5-10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

January 16, 2012- Martin Luther King Holiday. All University departments will be closed, including the School of the Coast & Environment.

January 17, 2012 - Spring Semester and Classes Begin

International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology 2012
Website

The International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology 2012 sponsored by the American Academy of Sciences will be held on June 25-29, 2012 in Houston, Texas, USA. The conference will provide a multidisciplinary platform for environmental scientists, engineers, management professionals and government regulators to discuss the latest developments in environmental research and applications. Please visit the conference Website  for more information or email for inquiries..