UWF scientists: most BP oil gone from Fla. waters

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - University of West Florida scientists are saying most of the oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is gone from Florida waters.

“A lot of people are concerned about a large amount of oil that's going to be tossed up with the next hurricanes, and it just doesn't exist. It's just not out there,” said professor and scientist Richard Snyder.

UWF scientists spent a year offshore studying BP oil remains and scientists claim oil will not wash ashore over the summer.

They said there is the possibility tar mats are buried closer to the shores and sand bars, but no oil should wash ashore.

“We have been sampling the sediments almost every month for over a year, and we're just not finding any PAH's out there,” Snyder said.

According to Snyder, PAH's are chemicals in the oil that are somewhat toxic.

Experts believe the bacteria in the water are naturally breaking down and dissipating the oil.

“The Gulf water is warm and there is a lot of petroleum in the Gulf of Mexico, so the bacteria really just chewed the oil up very quickly," Snyder said.

But some who live in Florida are skeptical.

“They're not going to come out and say, ‘Yeah, there are still chunks of oil.’ Because that will affect tourism, revenue, taxes, all that. They're not going to tell you the real truth. I don’t believe oil just disappears,” said Mick Luck.

Luck found oil on his son’s back and his daughter’s legs in summer 2011, after playing in the ocean.

“We still go to the beach but we're fairly cautious. We still enjoy it, but that's always on the back of your mind,” Luck said.

“As far as oil washing up on the beaches, we're not going to see it,” Snyder said.

If you do find tar balls or patties, Snyder said they’re not very toxic, but probably best if left alone.

“If you go to the store and get a tar shampoo for your dandruff, you're exposing yourself to more toxic chemicals than you would to those tar balls on the beach. There isn't a public health risk at this point,” said Snyder.

UWF scientists said they have not studied the Alabama, Mississippi or Louisiana coastline.