Mote Scientists Use Sarasota Bay in Oil Spill Study

Sarasota Bay. Photo credit: shesellssarasota.com

Scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory and the National Aquarium are examining Sarasota Bay to help predict the impacts from the Gulf oil spill. Biologists say it's crucial to gather data from the current, untouched habitat.

They hope to establish a baseline database of control samples that can be used in future research.

Special underwater sensors they call "virtual fish" will collect samples of water and sediment from 50 sites in Sarasota Bay over the next month.

Sea life is also on the research list. Samples of tissue and blood from clams and bottlenose dolphins will be added to the pre-spill data.