USF Response to Piney Point Spill
USF leads first research cruise to study Piney Point’s environmental impact
April 8, 2021
Written by Kristen Kusek, Communications Director for USF CMS
A team from the University of South Florida College of Marine Science (USF CMS) embarked on the first research cruise in Tampa Bay on April 7, 2021 to study the environmental impacts of the breach at Piney Point that started in March. Piney Point is a retired fertilizer processing plant in Manatee County, Florida. It was the first of what will be several sampling efforts.
“We were lucky to be able to mobilize this group in short order,” said Tom Frazer, dean of the CMS. “This presents a unique opportunity for these scientists to do