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What else can I help you with?
Why use dispersants?
Dispersants are used to break up oil spills into smaller droplets, making it easier for natural processes to break them down and for microbes to consume them. This helps to minimize the impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems and wildlife.
What has the author John R Clayton written?
John R. Clayton has written: 'Oil spill dispersants' -- subject(s): Dispersing agents, Environmental aspects, Environmental aspects of Oil spills, Oil spills, Testing 'Chemical shoreline cleaning agents for oil spills' -- subject(s): Oil spills, Shorelines
How does oil dispersion work?
I think you are asking how do chemical dispersants work on oil. There are a number of chemical dispersants available. As indicated in the related link, a dispersant must contain a solvent, which is a substance that can dissolve into the oil. It must also contain a "surface active agent" or surfactant. You can visualize a surfactant as a having two sides, one that "likes water" or hydrophilic and the other that "likes oil or oleophilic. In this aspect, it is similar to dish washing soap that "cuts through the grease." However. the use of dispersants is controversial as chemical dispersant is not natural in the marine environment. It is a pollutant. To add a pollutant to an enormously polluting spill has caused controversy. However, the intent is to break up the spill, and reduce its impact as it comes closer to shore. Natural forces such as biological processes, evaporation and wave action further reduce or disperse the spill. Due to potentially toxic effects, no dispersant can be used on oil spills without government (EPA) approval. The government may put restrictions on what is used and how much is used. Dispersants have been used for several decades. There are notable limitations particularly in heavy oil spills where the chemical will just run off of the spill. BP is injecting dispersants on oil as it comes out of the well- a new application. See related link.
What are ways to mitigate oil spills in sea shore?
To mitigate oil spills on the seashore, responders can use containment booms to prevent the spread of oil and absorbent materials to soak up the spill. Skimmers can be deployed to remove oil from the water's surface, while dispersants may help break down the oil into smaller droplets. Additionally, shoreline cleanup techniques, such as manual removal and washing, can be employed to restore affected areas. Regular training and preparedness drills are essential to ensure effective response when spills occur.
What is oil dispersent made of?
I have included one link describing oil dispersants in general and two fact sheets from Nalco- currenting being used in the oil spill in the gulf.
Are sea otters going to be crossed of the endangered list?
No But people are trying to prevent them from extinction. Causes: oil spills, used for fur and used for oil. No But people are trying to prevent them from extinction. Causes: oil spills, used for fur and used for oil.
How do you find a way to clean oil from water without creating a bigger mess?
Removal of an oil spill from a water surface is not easy. In the current oil spill, oil is still coming out of the well (as of May 19) making the situation even more difficult. Oil slicks can be skimmed off and there are a number of skimmers available. The combination of skimmers, dispersants and containment booms are the most conventional means of cleaning up a small spill. Controlled burns have been used in the Gulf. This can eliminate large amounts of oil, but must be very regulated for safety and environmental reasons. Dispersants attempt to break up large oil spills, to promote dispersal and degradation by sea water. The use of dispersants in the current spill are being carefully regulated, because if not applied appropriately, they can create additional problems. Bacterial solutions are usually used for contaminated beaches or as done in Alaska, along the rocky coastline. See related link.
Does drilling for oil create oil spills?
It can definitely contribute to oil spills.
In the past efforts to clean up oil spills have included which method?
Efforts to clean up oil spills have included methods such as skimming, where specialized boats remove oil from the water's surface, and using absorbent materials that soak up the oil. Additionally, chemical dispersants are often applied to break down the oil into smaller droplets, allowing it to mix with water and biodegrade more easily. Bioremediation, which involves introducing microbes that consume the oil, is also utilized to expedite natural degradation processes.
Are the chemicals being used by BP to clean up oil safe?
My answer is as of May 25, 2010. This is an ongoing event, and information can change rapidly. Yes, no and maybe! If a dispersant were sprayed in a body of water that did not have oil, it would be considered to be contaminating the water and ecosystem. They have special handling instructions to be applied safely. They are applied to break up another harmful substance, namely oil, and hasten the weathering/ evaporation process. The idea is that the remaining oil in a more dispersed (less concentrated) form will have less environmental impact. There is a natural degradation of oil by bacteria that occurs. The use of dispersants is controversial. Any use must be approved by the EPA. Decisions are done rapidly because in mitigating oil spills, time is of the essence. The particular dispersant that BP is using has toxic effects and there are ongoing discussions between EPA and BP on the current selections. Biologists have noted that if the dispersants are able to flow out of the gulf, there affect on corals could be devastating. An excellent summary of dispersants is attached. You can find many links on the particular dispersants being used by doing a google search. See related link.
What are the modern technologies to be used to prevent oil spills?
because it wastes more oil
What additive keeps engines clean by keeping contaminates suspended in oil?
dispersants
