Oil Spill Blog

First Time Sailors – Boat Safety Tips!

Do you have a passion for sailing, but lack the much needed confidence? Then, following simple tips will help you sail like a professional! First and foremost, wear your life jacket all the time. It is the best friend for all first time sailors out there. Before getting into the waters, know the safe speed limits and abide by them.

As safety should be the first thing on your mind, inspecting the weather conditions is also crucial! Never venture into the sea without ensuring if your boat insurance is in order. Above all, check if the boat you will be sailing is sea worthy. Beware of oil spills. As there are stringent laws attached when it comes to water pollution. Unobserved but incessant oil spills can not only damage your boat, but can also pave way for some heavy penalties!

Taking care of your boat is very important in terms of personal and environmental safety. The first step in boat care is proper cleaning. It’s always good to wax or paint your boat once in a while. Flush your engine every time it’s out on the shore, and remember to cover it after the job is done. Check the batteries of your boat; you could get into trouble in mid sea if you don’t. Most importantly, pay a lot of attention to your boat’s bilge!

The boat’s bilge is the lowermost section where two sides meet. This part of the ship is prone to oil spills and collects water and oily residues, often causing a foul odor. Oil spews out from the engine and through a series of limber holes, eventually makes its way into the sea. No need to explain what it does to the marine ecosystem! So, cleaning your bilge is extremely important.

You can get a number of chemical bilge cleaners out in the marine hardware stores. However, most of them are harmful chemicals and when they are let into sea water after cleaning; the situation becomes worse than the oil spill itself. Some sailors place absorbent pads around the engine to soak up the leaking oil. These pads just suck up the leaking oil, but never remove it entirely. So, you should ideally be using eco friendly spill removing products.

Oil Gone Easy Marine S-200 is one such formulation that uses oil eating bacteria to cleanup oil spills. Available in 5-gallon pails, you even stock up this eco-friendly oil spill cleaner in your boat before you leave on your sailing trip and get a clean boat and an oil-free marine ecosystem! Let’s march towards a green planet!

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Oil Spills and Their Impact on Fisheries!

Fishery and aquaculture production, the most vital sources of food and livelihood, have witnessed a tremendous progress over the last few decades. Valued as high-revenue generators, fisheries have become the victims of depletion in recent times. Apart from threats like overfishing and massive destruction of wetlands, a new threat has popped out– marine oil spills. Believe it or not! The National Marine Fisheries Service has stated that 90 fish species have been found depleted off the shores of the U.S.

What impact do oil spills have on fisheries? Well, the consequences are more serious than we imagined. Though the oil spilt out of damaged pipelines, tankers, or offshore oil rigs may seem to be insubstantial, the problems encountered are really high. Marine mammals like whales, dolphins, seals, and sea otters are severely affected by oil spills. Though these mammals survive the effects of oil spills, they don’t escape from their contaminated food supply.

When marine oil spills can take a toll on the big sea mammals, small fishes and other marine life are no exceptions. Not many are aware how severely the shrimp and oyster fisheries along the Louisiana coast were affected by the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon offshore oil spill. Included in the affected list are fish eggs or larvae, which have been wiped away once for all. One best example quoting this problem is the Exxon Valdez oil spill that affected billions of salmon and herring eggs.

Though a lot of effort is put on the cleaning up of spilt oil, some traces of oil still lurk behind. The reason is that marine oil spills don’t leave the water at ease as they cling to every rock and grain of sand. The best solution to get rid of the oil completely is to make use of bioremediation agents.

Oil Gone Easy Marine S-200 is one good choice for effective oil spill treatments. This eco-friendly oil stain remover has been subjected to rigorous testing, so it can be used on a large scale basis. So, let’s fight these marine oil spills and save our fisheries from extinction!

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Concrete Oil Spill Cleanup Made Easy!

With the increasing oil spill tragedies in the sea, there is so much talk about oil spills these days. Yet, most of us fail to notice the oil spills that occur at our homes every day. Do you often wonder why your driveway is turning grayish day by day? The reason might be pretty much evident. Check if your car is spilling too much oil.

Anyway, you car might not be the only source for concrete oil spills at your outdoors. Vehicles of your visitors or passer-by trucks can also spew oil in front of your gateway. These are situations you have no control over. However, you cannot sit idle after knowing that there’s a spill. So, here are some tips for you to cleanup those unsightly concrete oil spills.

It’s best to avoid wire scrubs to cleanup spilt oil from your concrete driveway. Besides leaving a lot of oil intact, these scrubs damage the concrete surface too. In addition, ground water safety is also at stake. If you want to safeguard your ground water, then do not, at any cost, seal the oil spilt area with fresh cement. This method causes a certain amount of oil seepage into the ground, and in the long run has a toll on the water table.

Do you use chemical oil dispersants to cleanup oil spills on your concrete driveway? Then, we suggest you better stop doing it. Chemicals especially muriatic acid and silane siloxane that are used in these cleaners erode the concrete surface leaving a permanent scar. Sometimes, people use kerosene to remove oil spills. Besides being very tricky to handle, kerosene also raises environmental concerns.

So, the best alternative to all these techniques is to go green. By doing this, you’ll not only be saving yourself, but the environment too. Try Oil Gone Easy Home & Driveway S-200, an eco-friendly oil spill cleaner, to cleanup oil spills. This green oil spill cleaner uses oil eating bacteria to clean up the spill. It can be used on concrete, asphalt, granite, and many other surfaces without compromising on environmental and personal safety.

Popularity: 4% [?]

The Impact of Highway Oil Spills on Traffic!

Highway accidents due to oil spills are not uncommon. However, highway traffic hold ups due to oil spills is one thing we could have experienced, but not given a second thought. There need not necessarily be an accident to hold up the traffic, just a spill is enough.

Recently, a semi truck roll over was reported on Kings Highway, just north of Rampart Blvd overpass. Not only was the truck’s driver injured in the accident, even the traffic came to a standstill. It was reported that large oil drums in the truck spilled as many as 1000 gallons of oil into the dirt.

A similar, but more serious incident was reported on I-95 in Stratford, where a trailer tractor spilled 25 gallons of gasoline near Exit 34. Even though no accidents or injuries were reported, the oil spill delayed traffic on the right and middle lanes of the highway for more than an hour. Even the entire northbound traffic was also held up for about five minutes. The area was reopened for use only after a sand truck scattered sand all over the place. A fireman who was at the scene, termed the surface as dangerous and slippery.

In San Leandro, two lanes on the transition ramp from southbound Interstate Highway 880 to southbound Interstate Highway 238 were closed down due to a big-rig accident. Consequently, the oil tank was punctured leading to an oil spill in that area. No injuries were reported. The lanes remained closed as the clean-up crews removed the truck and started the clean-up operations. Just as in the case of above incidents, there was a heavy delay in traffic.

So, isn’t it pretty evident from the above cases, that whenever there are accidents involving oil spills, there should be an effective remedy to clear out the oil spill? Instead of using chemical cleaners or sand, it’s always a safer and effective option to use green spill cleaners like Oil Gone Easy S-200.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Dealing with Port and Harbor Stormwater Runoff!

Have you ever given a second thought to how disastrous stormwater runoff pollution can prove to be? If no, then you are also one among thousand others who do not take this issue seriously. Any activity in ports and harbors causing an eco hazard reflects badly on the ocean. For instance, when oil leaks out of large tanker vessels while loading or unloading, then there is every chance for the leaked oil to get into the ocean waters. The flora and fauna of the sea are most badly affected, not to mention the degradation of the water quality. Such ruining impacts on water quality and aquatic beings, damage the marine ecosystem as a whole.

You might think that the probability of port oil spills contaminating the sea is rather too low. It might be considered true to a certain extent, but what if there is a storm? Stormwater runoff carries all those toxic and oily wastes from ports and harbors and leads them directly into the sea.

Though we might not win if we fight against the force of nature, we certainly can prevent chemicals and oil from mixing with the runoff. Only ‘Best Management Practices’ to the ‘Maximum Extent Practicable’ at ports and harbors will help us deal with it!

Finding a solution to a problem is impossible without properly understanding the source of the problem. In this case, the source is nothing but pollutants in ports and harbors, and from where they surface. The pollutants here are antifoulants, oil spills, heavy metals, organics, and cleaning chemicals, and they come out from routine seaport activities like loading, unloading, and boat hull cleaning. Modifying these activities is way above practicality, so finding remedies to nullify these chemical pollutants will be a viable option. Having environmentally-friendly spill cleaners handy is always a safe choice.

Oil Gone Easy S-200, an eco-friendly oil and grease cleaner, is a great example. It enhances the growth of oil eating bacteria to degrade oil. By using this product in ports and harbors, we can rule out pollution issues dealing with oily and greasy wastes.

If essential steps are taken to use this green product in ports and harbors, then there is going to be a sharp decrease in oil spill contamination. However, when we talk about stormwater runoff pollution, stringent BMPs and regulatory practices are also obligatory.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Los Padres Oil Spill

Oil spills harming aquatic birds and animals have become rather too common – the oil spill into the tributary of Sespe Creek being the most recent one. This spill has caused waves of distress among environmentalists as the water body at issue is very close to a condor reserve in the Los Padres National Forest. However, there are no reports of wildlife injuries as of now. An area, not very far from this spilt area, has already been affected by a similar oil spill tragedy that occurred in 2007 for which a lawsuit has also been filed.

The Los Padres oil spill was a result of a pump failure at a ‘produced water’ storage facility located nearby. Produced water is nothing but a mixture of water and oil that is used in the drilling process. According to reports, about 630 gallons of crude oil and 25,700 gallons of ‘produced water’ leaked into the river. Toxic chemicals and crude oil in the ‘produced water’ have made their way through the river and are expected to have long term ill effects on the environment.

Officials were able to identify oil coated rocks and an oily sheen on the surface of the water after visiting the spill site. What made the matters still more worse was that oil absorbent materials were used to clean up the oil spill. It is the last thing that environmentalists would wish for.

The problem with oil absorbents is that even if they manage to sop up the oil from the river, getting rid of the oil in the materials is still a question. So, there has to be an effective technique to remove the oil from those absorbent pads. Dumping them could only worsen the situation. Despite all these problems, people continue to treat oil spills using oil absorbents, skimmers, and boomers during ocean oil spills. This situation badly needs to change and pave way for environmentally-friendly cleaning options!

Oil Gone Easy S-200 is an eco-friendly oil spill cleaner that uses micro organisms to eat up the spilt oil. This revolutionary oil spill cleaner has been recommended for the cleanup of the Gulf waters. So, why not for the Los Padres oil disaster?

Greener products like Oil Gone Easy S-200 should be relied upon to clean up everything right from minor home oil spills to serious oil spills in the oceans. This product is available in 5 gallon pails also.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Parking Lot Oil Spills - Potentially Dangerous!

While talking about oil spills, most of us chew on marine oil spills, home and garage oil spills, and every other thing but parking lot oil spills. Oil leaks in parking lots are equally dangerous and are one of the major causes for water pollution. Surprising isn’t it? What will surprise you even more is that these spills are also a cause for the heating up of urban areas. Knowing the dangers, you would want to know ways on how to deal with such spills. So, here are a few tips on how to cleanup parking lot oil spills in a greener way.

Another fact that needs a mention is that it’s not just those oil specks in the parking areas that are risky; the method in which they are cleaned up also have a certain amount of risk factor to it. Water washing or using detergents to remove oil from the parking lots will seem to be a good idea. The area even appears to be free of oil and dirt. However the fact is that this method is even worse than the oil spill itself. They only wash down oil spill, eventually contaminating the water bodies nearby. The same is the case when it rains. So, it’s better to get rid of parking lot oil spills regularly.

Wondering what could be the best way to treat oil spills? Using Oil Gone Easy S-200, an environmentally safe oil spill cleanup product is a great idea. No more water pollution or unsightly oil specks in the parking lot!

Apart from oil spills, parking lots also account for increased temperatures and extensive land usage in urban areas. Some public parking lots occupy almost two times the area of their buildings, which tells us how much land goes unused. Shared parking lots are far better as they minimize land usage. Everything right from construction costs, property costs, and cleaning costs will come down. Also, a genuine sense of responsibility falls on the shoulders of the parking lot owners that urge them to keep the shared area clean.

Dividing the parking area into small sections, going for combined-use parking areas, or using eco-friendly oil spill cleaners to get rid of the oil spills as and when they occur can help deal with the situation. So, if you wish to save our environment, then go green in your parking issues. Make use of Oil Gone Easy S-200, which is available in 5 gallon pails to keep your parking area spotless!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Its good to own a home heating oil tank, but it needs to be maintained with great care to avoid those nasty leakage problems. Improper maintenance of the home heating oil system may not only cause serious environmental concerns, but also can cause you thousands of dollars in fines and cleanup operations.

Heating Oil System

So, if you’re planning to set up your own oil tank, then go for a double walled one. An extra layer of protection is always better. Here are certain things you need to do if you want to maintain your home oil tank properly.
Cleanup of oil spills from home oil tanks may not seem like a tough job when compared to indentifying the oil leak immediately. So, it’s always good to know the vital signs that tell you if your oil tank is in a bad shape. Oil spots around your tank, unpleasant odor in areas away from the oil burner are all indications of a possible oil leak. Lack of vegetation around the oil tank or abnormal increase in oil utilization, though trivial are potential signs of leaks.
During your spring cleanup task, take into consideration your home heating oil system too. The problem areas of your oil tank are the valves, piping, fuel delivery line, and other fittings. If you happen to find any worn out or damaged parts, replace them as soon as you can.
Condensed water and sludge accumulate inside the pipelines may lead to corrosion. As corroded pipes are prone to leak oil outside, try to carry out an overall cleaning of your home heating oil system at least once in few years.
Whether it is an above ground or underground oil tank, perform these regular checks. Don’t convince yourself by painting the concrete and think its good enough to leave it as such for a few more years.
However, if your oil tank company confirms oil leak from your tank, don’t panic. There are eco friendly oil spill containment products like Oil Gone Easy S-200 available in 5 gallon pails that employ micro organisms to remove the spilt oil. However, in case of major oil leaks, you ought to intimate the fire department and the State’s Department of Environmental Protection immediately.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Garage Cleaning

Spring is approaching and, it’s time to start spring cleaning your house. Not just the inside your house, you must pay equal attention while cleaning your garden, pavement, and garage too. Oil stain removal should top the list of things to do while cleaning your garage. And, if you start a garage cleanup without deciding what to do and what not to do, then it’s going to be really tedious.

Our cars, if in a bad state, cause oil spills on the garage floor making it slippery and risky to walk on. Using detergents or any other chemicals for oil stain removal products to get rid of oil spills may seem to be promising. But, they only add fuel to the fire! They just cause oil dispersion, and don’t remove the oil entirely. Your garage floor remains slippery as always. So, use eco friendly products like Oil Gone Easy Home & Driveway S-200 that remove oil entirely, causing no harm at all. To your convenience, this green oil spill remover is available in 5 gallon pails.

When we talk about garage cleaning, most of us tend to focus only on cleaning the floor. However, the garage shelves also need cleaning and organizing. Apart from automobiles, a garage is also a storage place for garden tools and most of our cleaning equipments. We store lubricant cans, paints, and other oily canisters in the garage. As all these stuff contribute its fair share in spilling oil, it’s very crucial to employ oil stain removal strategies in garage racks also.

Start by eliminating the useless clutter that is lying around your garage for a long time and stash them into the bin. Take proper care while disposing harmful materials like plastic or chemicals. Then, take out all the things from the garage and clean it up with Oil Gone Easy S-200 that is available in 5 gallon pails. It’s very simple. Sprinkle this green product on the oil spilt area, and leave it undisturbed. The oil spill disappears!

After cleaning, arrange the things properly; all garden tools in one place, all lubricating stuff in one place, and all cleaning equipments in one place. You can also paint your garage door and walls to give a fresh look. Your garage is now neatly set and free of oil spills!

Popularity: 2% [?]

It is nothing new that crude oil companies rely on a large network of pipelines to get oil from one place to another. These pipes stretch for miles on end and pass through sea-beds, plains, and high mountains. And the major menace afflicting the companies is losses due to oil leakages encountered in the pipelines.

So what paves the way for these devastating pipe leaks? Well, most of these oil leakages are due to corrosion, but in some cases other natural causes may also be to blame. Wondering why do the companies wait until the pipes corrode? Here is the answer! It’s been 50 – 60 years since majority of the oil pipelines were laid. Since then, not much of maintenance has been done on these pipes, causing corrosion at many places and thereby resulting in crude oil leakages!

Now, let’s take a closer look at how these distressing oil leaks can be prevented! One of the most effective ways with which oil leaks can be prevented is by carrying out regular oil pipe line cleaning. The debris that gets deposited in the pipeline, in particular, calls for a tougher action. Thanks to the advancement in technology! We are currently provided with two approaches to this end – mechanical cleaning and advanced chemical cleaning.

Mechanical oil pipe line cleaning involves specially designed equipment, called “pigs”, to move inside the pipelines and clean up the deposits. These “pigs” cut and swab through the debris and clear the pipeline completely. But, this process requires lot of patience, time, and of course attention! So, the industry is now moving on to advanced chemical cleaning, wherein the “pigs” are used in conjunction with chemical oil spill cleaners, allowing the debris to be cleared in a much shorter time.

Although advanced chemical cleaning is an effective and efficient way of oil pipeline cleaning, these chemicals cause harm to our environment as they are non biodegradable. So, the best way to clean pipeline without causing any harm to the environment would be, using eco friendly products. The Oil Gone Easy Marine S-200 is one such effective biodegradable oil remover, which not just removes oil spills effectively, but is also safe on Mother Nature. With Marine S-200, even the oil companies can now their share in safeguarding the environment and minimizing the chances of another Canadian oil spill.

Popularity: 2% [?]