Members of the University biology department are undertaking a $280,000 one-year project to assess the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on costal oysters, determine how to accommodate students whose thesis have been affected and attempt to complete their normal business practices as they join the people of southeast Louisiana in coping with the long-term issues associated with the ongoing situation in the gulf. Earl Melancon, professor of biological sciences, said in face of this unprecedented disaster, money is needed to rectify the situation, but money cannot erase the psychological impact this has had on people of the area.

“I have seen some fishermen crying,” Melancon said. “They have been through so much.”

Melancon said the department has mixed reactions to how British Petroleum and the government have handled the clean-up efforts.

“When you have something of this magnitude that’s never happened, you’re going to have some people that fumble,” Melancon said. “No matter how well-oiled of a machine you think you have, there is always room for improvement.”

The financial portion of the grant, to assess certain oyster areas, has been footed by BP and is being backed by the Louisiana Oyster Industry with the possibility of an extension.

Melancon said a number of Nicholls faculty, including himself, are involved in the project throughout various areas.

Marilyn Kilgen, district service professor of biological sciences, is the administrator of the research group.

Ramaraj Boopathy, professor of biological sciences, and a group of graduate and undergraduate students are looking at the amount of oil in the tissue of oysters and how quickly bacteria are consuming oil in the soil.

Angela Corbin, instructor of biological sciences, will study the nutrient availability of the microbes in the soil and water to degrade the oil.

“My task will be to document mortality and growth of the oysters and their overall health,” Melancon said.

The addition of the grant program is not the only change the biology department has seen since the oil spill.

Melancon said the department’s graduate program, which requires internships with local industries, has been affected.

“When you have 450 undergraduates and 26 graduate students there is definintely going to be local students impacted,” Melancon said. “Not only financially, but emotionally.”

Melancon said the full degree of this situation will not be felt until the fall semester, however, when there are more students on campus. Then, he said, a clearer scope of the spill’s effects to the University will be seen in several areas.

Courtney Cassard, director of enrollment services, said members of the office of financial aid will be more flexible with payments for students that have had a dramatic change in income due to the spill.

“We will probably see a lot of waived late fees,” Cassard said.

Melancon said the biology department has been and will continue to be aggressive in its efforts.

“We will rise to the occasion,” Melancon said. “This makes us more keenly aware of how important the department is.”

Melancon said media hype has not helped the situation because it has eroded consumer confidence in Louisiana seafood, even though there have been more safety inspections since the oil spill.

Melancon said the seafood is safe, and supporting it will help Louisiana begin the long and arduous healing process.

“Eat Louisiana seafood,” Melancon said. “It may cost you more, but go eat it.

James McGee vacuums oil in Barataria Bay on the coast of Louisiana on June 20. (Associated Press)