Oil spills can be cleaned up using various methods depending on the size, location, and type of oil. Natural disintegration is preferred, but containment and collection with booms and skimmers, dispersants, and petroleum remediation products are also effective.
Oil remediation is the process used to clean up oil spills. Oil spills threaten human health and are harmful to the environment and can be resolved in a variety of ways. The threat level and exact type of oil cleanup used depends on the size of the spill, the type of oil, the location of the spill, and the climate in which the spill occurs.
The most preferred method for remediation of oil, especially in water, is to leave it alone and let it disintegrate naturally. When there is no danger of spills affecting marine wildlife or coastal regions, wind, sun, ocean currents and waves will effectively disrupt and evaporate most types of oil. The lighter the oil, the easier it will naturally break down.
Containing oil with booms and collecting it with skimmer equipment is another method of remediation of oil for in-water spills, with the exception of the high seas. Arms can be made from a variety of materials and come in a variety of shapes. Depending on the size of the spill, they can be placed in deep water, float evenly above the waterline, or sit up to three feet (one meter) above the waterline. Once the oil is contained, it is collected or vacuumed and placed in nearby containers or vessels. In some cases it can also be placed on the ground for easier cleaning.
In cases where oil clean-up occurs within the first few hours of the spill and the seagrass and deep-sea coral are not in danger, dispersant products can be used. Dispersants work to break down the oil so it can biodegrade more quickly. When the oil breaks down it allows it to mix with water, which promotes evaporation and consumption by bacteria.
When oil, petroleum and other hydrocarbons are spilled in large and small quantities, they can be cleaned up using a PRP (petroleum remediation product). PRPs were developed by NASA (The National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and come in many forms. PRPs are made from tiny pellets of treated wax that have added nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, that fertilize the oil-eating microorganisms. PRP powder products are spread on a spill to speed up the natural biodegradation process. The oil sticks to the pellets when it comes into contact with the wax while the nutrients help promote the growth of oil-consuming bacteria.
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