Oil Spills and Cleanup Processes on Oceans

The worldwide concern with oil spills and its treatment is much dependent on the surface chemistry principles. Oil is transported across the seas in very large amounts (over 80 million barrels/day). Oil spill on sea surfaces will be exposed to various parameters  

Loss by sinking to the bottom (as such or in conjunction with solids) 

Oil spills on oceans are treated by various methods, depending on the region (in warmer seas or around cold climate). It is also apparent that the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will be of completely different nature than a similar accident near Greenland, for instance. The composition of oil differs from place to place. The light fluids of oil will evaporate into the air. The oil that has adsorbed on solid suspension will sink to the bottom. The remaining oil is skimmed off by suitable machines. In some cases, one also uses surfactants to emulsify the oil and this emulsion sinks to the bottom slowly. However, no two oil spills are the same because of the variation in oil types, locations, and weather conditions involved. However, broadly speaking, there are four main methods of response. 

Leave the oil alone so that it breaks down by natural means. If there is no possibility of the oil polluting coastal regions or marine industries, the best method is to leave it to disperse by natural means. A combination of wind, sun, current, and wave action will rapidly disperse and evaporate most oils. Light oils will disperse more quickly than heavy oils. Of course, the temperature of the sea water will also have an effect on the evaporation process. 

Contain the spiU with booms and collect it from the water surface using skimmer equipment. Spilt oil floats on water and initially forms a slick that is a few millimeters thick. 

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