Group selects 27 research projects to get BP money for studies of gulf oil spill effects

Projects selected for study of oil spill impact

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Florida Institute of Oceanography says 27 research projects have been selected to receive a total of about $10 million from BP PLC to study the impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The projects were culled from 233 proposals and announced Thursday in St. Petersburg by the institute, which is a consortium of the state’s public and private marine science research centers.

Researchers will examine the full-scope of the spill, from the effect of oil and dispersants on reefs, corals and salt marshes, to determining how coastal and marine food chains have fared.

The federal government says around 206 million gallons spilled into the gulf after the April 20 explosion at the oil rig that killed 11 people.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects number of people who died in rig explosion.)