Chemicals, such as detergents, break apart floating oil into small particles or drops so that the oil is no longer in a layer on the water's surface. These chemicals break up a layer of oil into small droplets. These small droplets of oil then disperse or mix with the water. The problem with this method is that dispersants often harm marine life and the dispersed oil remains in the body of water where it is toxic for the marine ecosystem.
Marichem Oil Spill Dispersant
MARICHEM OIL SPILL DISPERSANT is the new, 3rd generation dispersant, approved as Type II and Type III as per EU latest regulations. It can be used concentrated or diluted at a ratio of 1:10, depending on the level of contamination. It is an efficient and environmentally friendly product, containing no hydrocarbons. It has been specifically designed for oil dispersion at sea, at shore and in port, either onboard or ashore.
ADVANTAGES AND CHARACTERISTICS
- It is non-toxic to marine life
- It converts oil spills to small droplets that are easily biodegradable
- It minimizes environmental damage
- It does not contribute to pollution
- It is cost-effective and economical
- It is easy to handle and apply
- It is applicable to mineral oils, crude oils, fuel oils, kerosene, white spirit and lubricant oils
Marichem Oil Spill Emulsifier
Oil Spill Emulsifier is a superior product specifically designed for oil dispersion at sea, at shore and in port concerning both on board and ashore treatment. High standards and specifications have been incorporated to engineer this environmentally safe product.
ADVANTAGES AND CHARACTERISTICS
- Non-toxic to marine life
- Highly effective for oil spills at sea, on seashores or on solid surfaces such as docks, decks, piers, wharfs, ship hulls etc
- Applicable to mineral oils, crude oils, fuel oils, kerosene, white spirit and lubricant oils
- Tested and approved by many different regulatory agencies
- Promotional for oil-dispersion into microscopic droplets so that the maximum surface area is available for fast bacterial degradation
- Cost-effective
Physical
Burning: Burning of oil can actually remove up to 98% of an oil spill. The spill must be a minimum of three millimetres thick and it must be relatively fresh for this method to work. This technique has been successful in Canada. The burning of oil during the Gulf War was found not as large a problem as first thought, because the amount of pollution in the atmosphere did not reach the expected high levels. Field-testing is needed to check the feasibility of this technology.
Biological
Bioremediation: There are bacteria and fungi that naturally break down oil. This process is usually very slow- it would take years for oil to be removed by micro-organisms. Adding either fertilizer or micro-organisms to the water where the spill is located can speed up the breakdown process. The fertilizer gives the bacteria and fungi the nutrients they need to grow and reproduce quicker. Adding micro-organisms increases the population that is available to degrade the oil. A drawback to adding fertilizers is that it also increases the growth of algae. When the large numbers of algae die, they use up much of the oxygen so there isn't enough oxygen in the water for animals like fish.
Over time, a number of things can happen to oil that has been spilled. The oil may evaporate, reach the shore and cover beaches, remain suspended in the water for long periods, or sink into ocean sediments. The problem of cleaning up oil often becomes more difficult the longer the oil remains in the water.
