Ecosystem Science approach to understanding natural and anthropogenic oil spills. The aim of this presentation is to put the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in context.

1. The Big Picture Narrated by Conor Flynn

3. Planetary Boundaries: “Safe Operating Space” Rockström, et al. 2009. Ecology and Society14(2): 32

8. 86 tonnes VOC/completion, 1-10 tonnes VOC annually

12. Conor’s Model SOURCE SINK POOL

13. Deepwater Horizon: The Straw that Broke the Camel’s Back?

14. DH: 172,000,000 Gallons

15. Global Spills

16. Acute vs Chronic

18. DH: 410 thousand tonnes

26. DH: 410 thousand tonnes

27. DH: 4.1 thousand tonnes PAH US Consumers: 10.0 thousand tonnes PAH

28. Conor’s Model SOURCE SINK POOL

29. Discussion Oil is Natural The Dose is the Poison The Ocean is Really, Really Big The Solution for Pollution is Dilution Exceptions: Systemic accumulation Bioaccumulation

31. Conor’s Refined Model SOURCE: Natural, Anthropogenic: Extraction Transportation Consumption SINK: Degraded, Evaporated, Dissolved Dispersed BIOTA: Bioaccumulate, Biodegrade OIL SPILL Physically Protected: Slick, Mousse, Tar balls

34. Jones HP, Schmitz OJ (2009) Rapid Recovery of Damaged Ecosystems. PLoS ONE 4(5): e5653. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005653