Oil spill leaves more than 1 million gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico

The U.S. Coast Guard has been investigating the source of an oil spill near Louisiana, which has caused an estimated 1.1-million-gallon leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

Furthermore, USA Today reported that the spill was first seen on the morning of Thursday, November 16.

The cause of the leak is suspected to be a nearby 67-mile-long pipeline, which according to CBS had been closed shortly before the sighting.

A statement released the next day by the Coast Guard reported that a Unified Command had been established between them, the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office and the Main Pass Oil Gathering Company LLC, the pipeline’s operator.

Reports from overflights determined the size of the spill to be about 3 to 4 miles in width.

The area of the leak, which is located about 19 miles offshore Plaquemines Parish, is being surveyed by remotely operated vehicles, for the exact source of the leak to be identified.

Finally, concerns have arisen about the impact of the spill on the Gulf’s marine life and endangered species.