SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Local residents have two chances left to learn about both the long- and short-term impacts of the oil spill that has wreaked havoc on Baldwin County communities for four months.

Tonight’s sixth installment of the University of South Alabama Baldwin Campus’ “Oil Disaster and Information Forums” will address anticipated mental health issues associated with the spill resulting from the April 20 explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig off the coast of Louisiana.

The final lecture, slated for Aug. 27, will examine the impact of chemical dispersants used by “responsible party” BP PLC to contain the spill on the surrounding habitats. “Oil Spill and Dispersants Impact on the Water” will feature experts George Crozier, director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and Robert Shipp, chair of USA’s marine sciences department.

Both forums are free and begin at 6 p.m. in USABC’s Performance Center, located at the corner of Summit Street and Saint James Avenue in Fairhope.

Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis.

In simplest terms, Crozier said he and Shipp will discuss where the oil goes when acted upon by dispersants.

“I think the dispersant use at depth has created a profound uncertainty about the future, and we’re going to be looking at quite a few years of difficult monitoring of both the water and animals,” Crozier said.

He is hopeful, however, that those in attendance will walk away with a “realistic understanding of what the short- and long-term impacts are going to be.”

The series, created to inform and empower residents struggling with the effects of the spill, has already addressed topics ranging from legal rights and air quality to real estate values and lessons learned from the Exxon Valdez spill two decades ago.