Summary:
We will collect monthly samples from the Barataria and Lake Pontchartrain estuaries and one offshore station, from January to June, 2011, (a) to make comparisons with the long-term data record (+10 years), (b) to assess if the Deepwater Horizon oil 'spill' significantly affected water quality, and (c) to address the health of the ecosystem(s).Our primary focus is on dissolved nutrients, phytoplankton, microbes, and oil; importantly, we also collect water samples for others as time and space allows - thus continuing our indirect participation with others.