Scientists at the Minerals Management Service are testing different types of buoys to see which ones move most like oil in order to better predict areas at risk following a spill. To predict where the nearly 70,000 gallons of oil from the New Carissa may go, use the data from the Athena Ocean Drifter Data website. Another great site for tracking ocean currents is Project Yoto Drifters . In addition, several drifters were released into special interest areas, such as the iceberg drift region of the North Atlantic. Visit the Project YOTO Drifters web page to track your own drifter.
Ocean currents play significant roles in transporting many elements and organisms.
For more classroom activities on oil spills, be sure to check the Oil Spill section of our Pollution page. The Bridge is supported by the National Oceanographic Partnership Program , and is sponsored by the National Marine Educators Association and the national network of Sea Grant educators.