Texas Scientists Revive Gulf Coral Years After BP Oil Spill

The Quest for Coral Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico

In the early hours of the day, a dedicated team of scientists at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center Wet Lab in Galveston, Texas, embarks on a mission critical to the restoration of deep-sea coral ecosystems. Shannon Ainsworth, a coral aquarist, meticulously collects hundreds of tiny, floating brown eggs from a tank housing deep-sea coral. With a plastic dropper, she gently extracts the eggs, transferring them into a beaker, a process she repeats until the tank is empty. This labor-intensive task is just the beginning of a long journey aimed at nurturing these eggs into new coral, a process that unfolds at a glacial pace.

As Ainsworth works, she glances at the adjacent tanks, where baby corals—now two years old and the size of a half-fingernail—are growing on small rock tiles. “That girl over there,” she points to a large coral in the back, “released over 2,000 eggs yesterday. Then we collect them all by hand.” This hands-on approach is emblematic of the painstaking efforts involved in coral propagation, a vital component of the broader initiative to restore marine habitats damaged by the infamous 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

The Deepwater Horizon disaster, which occurred off the coast of Louisiana, released a staggering 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems. Approximately two-fifths of the oil sank to the ocean floor, contaminating an area larger than the City of Houston and severely impacting deep-sea coral communities. The spill not only poisoned these delicate organisms but also smothered them under layers of toxic oil, leading to widespread destruction of habitats that had taken centuries to develop.

In the aftermath of the spill, scientists recognized the urgent need to study and restore the 12 different coral species affected. Since 2022, Ainsworth and her colleagues have been investigating methods to restore these corals, focusing on their reproduction and growth in a controlled lab environment. The knowledge gained here will eventually be applied to the oil spill site, offering hope for the recovery of these vital ecosystems.

Understanding Deep-Sea Coral

Deep-sea corals are enigmatic creatures, vastly different from their shallow-water counterparts. While shallow-water corals rely on a symbiotic relationship with algae to produce energy through photosynthesis, deep-sea corals lack sufficient sunlight and must feed entirely through their tentacles. This unique feeding mechanism makes them particularly vulnerable to oil contamination, which can poison them or suffocate them by covering their feeding structures.

Kristopher Benson, a marine habitat resource specialist with NOAA, explains the dual threats posed by oil: “If the oil is in a heavy enough volume, then yes, it will just suffocate the coral, but the oil can also produce toxic responses, physiological responses, just from chemical exposure.” The long-term effects of the spill are still being documented, with scientists noting that recovery could take decades, if it occurs at all.

Innovative Restoration Techniques

The restoration project is not just about cleaning up the aftermath of the spill; it’s also about pioneering new techniques for coral propagation. Funded by a portion of the $20 billion settlement from BP, the project has tested various methods to breed and nurture coral populations. One promising technique involves placing tiny rock tiles in the lab for baby corals to settle on, mimicking natural conditions. Depending on the success of these lab-grown corals, the team plans to introduce them into the ocean, carefully monitoring their adaptation to the wild.

Ben Higgins, a research fishery biologist, describes the excitement that comes with each new development. “I have to go through these containers every two days, I do water changes, I count larvae, I count eggs, I do a little prayer,” he shares, emphasizing the delicate balance required in coral cultivation. Recently, the team achieved a significant milestone: for the first time, they documented a tan deep-sea coral species spawning in the lab, a breakthrough that has energized the entire research team.

The Road Ahead

The restoration project is set to continue until 2028, with ongoing funding expected to extend its impact into the late 2030s or even 2040. As the team navigates this complex landscape of coral biology and environmental restoration, they remain committed to understanding the life cycles of deep-sea corals. “Right now, this is almost a beta phase where we try a bunch of different things, see what’s most effective,” explains Kelly Martin, a NOAA restoration project manager. The knowledge gained during this phase will be invaluable as they refine their techniques and scale successful methods for broader application.

The work being done at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center is not just about restoring coral; it’s about unraveling the mysteries of deep-sea ecosystems and ensuring their survival for future generations. As Ainsworth and her colleagues continue their efforts, they embody a spirit of resilience and hope, striving to heal the wounds inflicted by one of the largest environmental disasters in U.S. history.