The Basics of an Oil Spill Cleanup

Oil spills, such as BP's Macondo well spill in the Gulf of Mexico, create a hazard to environmental, animal and human health. Because of these potentially disastrous effects, oil spill cleanup must take place. Basic methods of oil spill cleanup include in-situ burning, containment, removal and breakdown of oil compounds. Which methods are used, when and to what extent depends mainly on the type, size and location of the spill.

Burning

• Spilled oil burns when freshly spilled. However, following the evaporation of the most flammable components of fuel oil, burning to clean up an oil spill becomes impossible. Fortunately, according to the University of Delaware, the flammable components contain the highest proportion of toxins, which also evaporate out of the spill.

Containment

• Containment of an oil spill involves demarcating the spill area, blocking the oil from spreading and removing oil from the spill area. Floating booms provide the first in a series of containment methods. Oil spill workers place the long, plastic booms in a circle around the spilled oil. Because oil floats on the surface of water, booms keep oil from spreading. Cleanup workers may then use skimmers, vacuums and sorbents to remove the oil from the water and contain it. Skimmer boats scoop or vacuum oil off the surface. Vacuum trucks suck oil off of water or sand from the shore. Sorbents act like giant sponges, but must soak up primarily oil rather than water.

Dispersants

• Dispersants composed of chemicals break down spilled oil into small drops. Oil dispersing keeps the oil from forming a slick on the water surface. Instead, the oil becomes incorporated with the water body and breaks down faster than in slick form. Dispersants aid in oil cleanups particularly in tumultuous waters where other methods may prove difficult.

Gelling Agents

• Gelling agents contain chemicals that bind and react with oil to form a gelled and easily-contained substance. Cleanup workers then collect and contain the gel substance.

Bioremediation

• Biological agents harness and accelerate the natural oil degradation process. Bioremediation refers to the use of biological agents to restore a damaged environment. Oil spill cleanup workers add microorganisms to the spill area that break down organic oil material or add nutrients to the spill area that encourage the growth of native microorganisms. Bioremediation may take many years to break down an oil spill.