Polarimetric retrievals of surface and cirrus clouds properties in the region affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

► We analyze polarimetric data from the region of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. ► The instrument successfully detects alterations in the surface optical properties. ► Oil on the surface increases glint brightness and dampens small-scale waves. ► We estimate the optical thickness of a subvisual cirrus. ► We present the detection of horizontally oriented ice plates in the cirrus.