DEP put in place additional water sampling in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Sampling was conducted for pre-impact baseline testing and in response to the presence of petroleum product. Samples collected in close proximity to visible indicators of oil presence, such as tar balls, sheen and "mousse" were analyzed to define the water quality conditions. The samples were tested for the following analytes: PAH (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons), TRPH (total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons) and VOC (volatile organic compounds). The results from these analyses were assessed against human health and environmental benchmark values, where available, to assist state, federal and local government agencies to prioritize clean-up efforts and to protect and inform the public. A summary of the data collected and analyzed by DEP is located in the table below. Routine oil spill sampling by DEP was completed on September 9, 2010. Additional water sampling for all of the affected Gulf States is being coordinated through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process.

DEP Coral Reef Conservation Program diver collecting sediment samples for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill response.

Water Sampling Tables

• NC – no samples were collected on that date and county identified.
• ND – samples that were “non-detect” or did not have any measurable levels of petroleum product.
• Hits – number of samples that had measurable levels of petroleum detected. None of these levels exceeded the EPA’s May 20, 2010 proposed Human Health Benchmarks.

Routine Oil Spill Water Sampling

¹ – Three water samples were collected in proximity to petroleum product along the Ft. Pickens Beach area. One water sample was collected along the Gulf Island National Seashore, another from the Pensacola Beach Pier and the last from Hawkshaw Lagoon.

² – The sample was collected at Pensacola Beach in proximity to petroleum product.

³ – The sample was collected at the Fort Pickens Beach area.

⁴ – One sample was collected at Pensacola Beach Walkover 16 and the other was collected at the Ft. Pickens Beach area.

⁵ – The sample was collected at Grayton Beach State Park.

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Dispersant Water Sampling

*Trace amounts of DOSS, which is an ingredient of the Corexit dispersant and other common consumer products, such as paints, coatings and pharmaceutical products, were observed. Dispersants were never used in state of Florida waters.