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What started with an explosion on April 21 has turned into what could be the worst ever U.S. oil spill

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In this aerial photo taken in the Gulf of Mexico more than 80 kilometres southeast of Venice on Louisiana's tip, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig is seen burning on April 21, 2010.Gerald Herbert

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This April 21 aerial photo shows oil in the Gulf of Mexico as the Deepwater Horizon oil rig burned. Eleven workers were killed.Gerald Herbert

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This image provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Saturday April 24, shows oil leaking from the drill pipe of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig after it sank.

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In this handout from NASA, an oil slick from the sunk Deepwater Horizon drilling platform is seen April 29, off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.NASA/Getty Images

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A satellite image taken on April 26, 2010 shows cleanup vessels near the oil slick resulting from the explosion of the Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil rig, in the Gulf of Mexico.DIGITAL GLOBE

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The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Southern Responder (R) is pictured April 28 during cleanup activity in the Gulf of Mexico.SEAN GARDNER

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Two brown pelicans and a flock of seagulls rest on the shore of Ship Island as a boom line floats just offshore on April 29, in Gulfport, Miss. Several hundred yards of boom line was set up on the north side of the island to try and contain the oncoming oil spill.WILLIAM COLGIN

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An oil boom barrier lies washed up on the beach after heavy swells and winds hit the coast of Louisiana on April 30.MARK RALSTON/AFP / Getty Images

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Dr. Erica Miller, right, and Danene Birtell with Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research work to help a Northern Gannet bird, covered in oil, normally white when full grown, at a facility in Fort Jackson, La., on April 30.Alex Brandon

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Shrimp boats stay in port as the cleanup operation from the BP Deepwater Horizon platform disaster continued near the town of Venice on the Mississippi River in Louisiana on May 1.MARK RALSTON/AFP / Getty Images

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David Roberts, left, and Dr. Andrew Whitehead, a Professor of Biology at Louisiana State University, gather samples of minnows for testing at Clermont Harbor in Hancock County, Miss., on May 1.PAT SULLIVAN

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Work crews lay oil retention booms in Bay St. Louis, Miss., on May 1.Dave Martin

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Shrimper J.C. Necais stands on his at the boat harbor in Pass Christian, Miss., on May 1. Mr. Necais is upset at the government's response to the oil spill, saying the delay in declaring a state disaster limited the response.Dave Martin

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Clumps of oil are seen in the waters off of Chandeleur Sound, La., May 3.Alex Brandon

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A hard hat covered in oil is shown after being found in the waters off of Chandeleur Sound, La., May 3.Alex Brandon

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Workers attempt to secure an oil boom into place in an effort to protect the coast line from the massive oil spill near Hopedale, Louisiana May 10.SEAN GARDNER

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Three year-old Morgan Edmonds plays in the surf as a clean-up crew combs the beach on Dauphin Island, Alabama May 10, two days after tar balls washed up onshore.BRIAN SNYDER

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Risers, the outer casings of oil drill pipes, are seen on the deck of the service vessel Joe Griffin as it prepares to head to Port Fouchon at the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Louisiana, May 11.POOL

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Oil spill workers connect sections of oil booms to protect marshlands in the Gulf of Mexico on May 13, in Hopedale, Louisiana. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig continues leaking an estimated 1,000-5,000 barrels of oil a day into the Gulf. Efforts to contain the spill have done little to slow its flow.John Moore

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A brown pelican coated in heavy oil wallows in the surf on East Grand Terre Island, Louisiana on Friday, June 4. Oil is coming ashore in large volumes across southern Louisiana coastal areas.Win McNamee

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A bird covered in oil flails in the surf at East Grand Terre Island along the Louisiana coast. Oil from the Deepwater Horizon has affected wildlife throughout the Gulf of Mexico.Charlie Riedel

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Oil drips from a glove dipped into the water at Pass a Loutre, La., during a tour by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal on Wednesday, June 2.Charlie Riedel

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U.S. President Barack Obama, left, picks up a 'tar ball' on during a tour of areas impacted by the Gulf Coast oil spill on May 28.Evan Vucci

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A shrimp boat outfitted with booms to collect oil makes its way to port on May 27 near Grand Isle, Louisiana.Win McNamee

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A video grab, taken from a BP live video feed, shows activity during the 'top kill' procedure that failed to stop the flow of oil from the blown out well on the Deepwater Horizon.HO/Reuters

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Oil from the Deepwater Horizon gathers near Blind Bay, La., on May 26.Win McNamee

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