Test results for the samples taken on 10-28-10 have been received. These samples were taken by Emerald Coast Surfrider members at the following locations: Panama City Pier Park, Blue Mountain Beach, Miramar Beach, Okaloosa Pier, Navarre Pier, Alabama Point, and Cotton Bayou.
There was no Propylene Glycol or 2- Butoxyethanol detected in any of the samples. All but one sample had no oil related compounds detected. One sample from Cotton Bayou had trace levels of Flouranthene (.041ug/L) and Fluorene (.044 ug/L). Both of these compounds were just barely over the reporting limits of .041 for these substances, and not indicative of spill related contamination.
Surfrider has two sets of testing still in the lab for processing and will resume sampling next week.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has announced that it has abandoned it's water testing program. This, in spite of having positive dispersant findings in it's final sample. The EPA appears to have also discontinued it's dispersant testing in Florida. Surfrider remains as the only known group that is regularly testing North Florida waters. Surfrider has done more than twice as much sampling for dispersants as the entire Florida DEP program. While we can be proud Surfrider's efforts, we remain equally appalled at the lack of concern shown by the state and federal response.
Our recent swell has brought with it an increase in quantity and size of tarballs. In Walton county, these appear to be older, perhaps being released from the sand by wave action. Recent reports from the West beaches (Perdido and Orange Beach) have shown photos of oil that appears more fresh, perhaps upwelling from deeper water. When you find oil on your beach, it is important that you document with photos and call in a report. In Bay, Walton and Okaloosa Counties you can reach the Coast Guard officer in charge of clean-up operations at : (251) 583- 4558.
