Oil Sorbents - Step by Step Easy to Follow Directions For Using Them

Cleaning up oil spills is a responsibility that all users whether in land or in water need to take seriously. The harmful effects of oil spills on the environment stretches not only to the marine life but to the fishing industry and to the resorts and recreation areas. Even our drinking water supply could be affected by oil spills. Luckily, cleaning up these spills are now easier with various efficient implements now available. Sorbents or absorbent sponges made from substances much like those used in diapers. There are those oil sorbents though that are made of natural materials such as straw, grasses, coconut husks, or wood chips. In most spill cleanup materials, the most common oil sorbents used is polypropylene.

When you buy oil sorbents, they usually come with easy step-by-step directions for use. Depending on what and where the oil spill is as well as the size of the spill, there are oil sorbents that can perform the clean up task effectively. Oil sorbents are among the widest product lines in the spill cleanup implements industry. There are booms to contain spills from boats in open waters, and mats and pads to wipe up small machinery oil spills. Here is a rundown of some of the most popular oil sorbents:

1. Universal Absorbent Pads - these pads are multi-purpose spill pads. These can either be used for water-based or oil-based spills. Its dimpled pattern makes the pad more efficient in soaking up liquids while at the same time keeping its shape and integrity. These pads can be used in regular everyday oil spillages in small machine shops.

2. Economy Oil Pads - these pads are oil-only pads capable of absorbing hydrocarbons and oil-based fluids. Made of one layer of hydrophobic oil-only polypropylene, these pads are water repellent and floats on water. They come in white colored pads that are considered to be cost-effective and economical.

3. Anti-Static Absorbent Pads - are especially useful in cleaning up flammable substances in low humidity areas where sparking can occur at any time. These pads absorb all hydrocarbons and repels water.

4. Oil Absorbent-Oil Containment Boom - these sausage-shaped poly sock skin is filled with highly absorbent polypropylene and covered with a mesh outer sleeve. These booms are best used in oil spills in open waters. They float on the water's surface along with the oil and keeps the oil within its perimeter preventing its spread.

5. Oil Absorbent Sweep - this is used to skim off whatever oil film is left behind after a cleanup. Sweeps are made of multilaminates that are durable and sturdy to withstand the rigors of cleanup. These sweeps float on water and will not sweep even when saturated with oil.

Even with the variety of oil sorbents, these sorbents are generally used in the same way. There are those that are used for containment, those that are used for wiping off, those that are used for soaking, and those that are used for prevention. Knowing the right oil sorbent to use for particular spills is something that the spill response team should be trained on. When spills happen, the spill response team should follow the following easy steps:

1. Contain the spill.
2. Soak up and mop up the spill.
3. Dispose of the collected spill material properly.
4. Recommend and install preventive measures for future spills. (ArticlesBase SC #1310289)

Causes of Oil Spills

When an oil spill occurs, it results in huge environmental disasters and monetary loss. Oil spills can be caused by many things. Carelessness or deliberate dumping by humans and natural causes such as floods, hurricanes, and storms are a few of them.

Most of the oil spills occur when oil is transported across the ocean. Accidents involving tankers, barges, or refineries result in oil spills. These accidents may occur due to several reasons such as explosions, running aground, hull failure, and collisions. Cracks that develop in the underground pipelines that transport oil can also result in oil seepage into the environment. Oil spills also occur during lightering, the process of transferring oil from one vessel to another.

Not just during transportation; oil spills also occur during different phases of production. For instance, they may occur during extraction process in oil wells or conversion process in refineries. Drilling also causes natural seepage of oil.

The majority of the accidents occur due to human error or carelessness, which fall under controlled factors. In a study conducted by Nuka Research and Planning Group of Homer, Alaska, it was found that 80 percent of oil spills and marine accidents were caused by human error. According to the study, though improvement in technology can help reduce the severity of the spill, it cannot altogether prevent one from happening.

Human mistakes are not the only reason for such accidents. They may also occur due to breakdown of machinery or intentional spills due to vandalism or wars. Illegal dumping of oil is also an important factor that needs to be mentioned.

Apart from these controlled factors, there are several uncontrolled factors such as hurricanes and other stormy weather conditions that cause oil spills. Another natural cause is the shifting of tectonic plates. When this happens, oil from the reserves below the ocean floor are released into the environment.

Though nothing can be done about the uncontrolled factors, steps must be taken to make sure that oil spills don’t occur due to mistakes on our part.    (ArticlesBase SC #1286132)