Final answer:
The combination of STEM fields that contributed to the cleanup of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is engineering, chemistry, and marine science. These disciplines worked together to design cleanup technologies, develop chemical dispersants and bioremediation methods, and assess ecological impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question of which STEM fields contributed to the cleanup of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is engineering, chemistry, marine science. The cleanup of such a large-scale environmental disaster requires the collaboration of various scientific disciplines.
Engineering plays a crucial role in designing and implementing cleanup technologies and structures such as containment booms and skimming devices to prevent the spread of the oil and collect it from the water's surface. Chemistry is essential for understanding the properties of oil and developing substances that can help disperse or break down the oil molecules through bioremediation processes. Lastly, marine science is involved in assessing the impact of the spill on marine ecosystems and informing the cleanup strategy to minimize environmental damage.
Bioremediation, using bacteria that can solubilize and degrade oil, is a biological process employed in the cleanup, providing a link to biology. However, it is the combination of engineering, chemistry, and marine science that forms the crux of the response effort in this scenario.