Criss-crossing the patches of black oil are paths of clean water, the tracks left by boats involved in attempts to cap the well.
It's not clear what caused the flashes of fluorescent orange. They may have been a reaction caused by the propellers churning up toxic chemical dispersants - Corexit 9,500 and 9,527 - 9 million litres (2 million gallons) of which were poured onto the oil in an attempt to break it up. Whatever the cause, the visual effect lasted only a few moments. Here, the boat passed from top right to bottom left, and the orange lights at the top are already fading. As always, Daniel had to work fast and intuitively, photographing from the open window of the plane.
Spain / USA
Over the past two decades, Daniel’s work has taken him to all seven continents. Spill, his exhibit of images documenting the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, premiered in August 2010 and has toured the globe. He is a fellow and board member of the International League of Conservation Photographers.
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