NOAA launches website containing 'millions' of pieces of data relating to the during BP oil spill

Monday, September 16, 2013, 3:54 PM -

Numerous studies were conducted during the devastating BP oil spill. Now, some of that research has been made available on a website designed to provide insight into the nature of these catastrophic events.

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A companion dataset which includes information on ocean temperature and salinity - among other things - has also been made available.

NOAA announced the release on Friday.

According to the agency, the information will provide "ready access to millions of chemical analyses and other data on the massive Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The dataset, collected to support oil removal activities and assess the presence of dispersants, wraps up a three year process that began with the gathering of water samples and measurements by ships in the Gulf of Mexico during and after the oil release in 2010."

The BP oil spill - also referred to as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill - erupted on April 20, 2010.

The 87-day disaster is considered to be one of the largest oil spills in U.S. history. Eleven people died and more than 4 million barrels of oil were spilled into the Gulf of Mexico between April 20 and July 15, 2010, causing extensive damage to bird sanctuaries, marine and wildlife habitats.

Massive losses were also reported in the fishing and tourism industries as well.