Oil Spill Blog

Just like every other thing you possess, at some point of time even boats will be worn out, and they need to be disposed off. Proper boat disposal is part and parcel of clean boating practices! So, why should we concern ourselves with the proper disposal of unwanted vessels? These old vessels pose environmental hazards that need to be avoided.

So if you possess a boat that can no longer be used, don’t just let it sink by itself! You might wonder as to why you shouldn’t sink your unwanted vessel! Sinking of unwanted vessels is not only illegal, and it also causes harm to the water resource. So beware! If you are found sinking an unwanted vessel, you may be charged with a fine of up to $1500 as per section 525 of the Harbors and Navigation Code. Here are a few things that you could do to dispose your used vessel.

• You can think of donating your used boat to some charity, which will accept unwanted vessels as tax-deductible donations. But make sure that your boat is in a good condition when you donate it! Clean your boat’s bilge by using eco-friendly bilge cleaners such as the Oil Gone Easy S-200 for oil cleanup.

• Another way of boat disposal is by reselling your used boat or rather its reusable parts. Certain salvagers or used boat parts dealers will be able to make money from your used boats by reselling them. But the charges for dismantling your boat will be deducted from the total value of the useable parts. There are a few dealers who place certain constraints on the length and the vessel type that they accept. So if you’re looking for a used boat parts dealer, you can get help from your local yellow pages.

• If you think that your used vessel is totally out of condition, then you can look for dealers who dismantle and dispose the vessel. The marginal cost for enlisting these waste disposal services is somewhere between $15 and $20.

Practice proper boat disposal methods and ensure that you keep the waters clean!

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Most of us fail to realize that the effort to foster pollution prevention should begin right in our homes! A small action of ours in this regard can bring about a real positive difference. So how can you go about preventing pollution in your home? Here are some areas that you need to focus on to have a clean home and a cleaner environment.

Reduce waste

The first step in pollution prevention at home is to cut down on the waste that is being created. A simple key to this approach is to go for reusable products, such as rechargeable batteries, paper towels, and cloth bags. Rather than merely disposing yard and kitchen waste into the trash bins, you can think of composting it.

Conserve Energy & Water

Here are a few tips:
1. Look for energy efficient appliances. Also, proper maintenance is required to improve the energy efficiency of your appliances.
2. Ensure to keep a constant check on your car’s emission.
3. Never forget to turn off the lights while leaving your room.
4. Last but not least, take some effort to preserve our precious resource – water! Remember to turn the tap off when not in use.

Use Environmentally-friendly Products

It’s good for you as well as for the planet, if you opt for eco-friendly household products. For instance, you can choose to use baking soda and water to clean your clothes rather than using bleach. If you change your own engine oil see to that you recycle the used oil at a nearby service station. In case, there is an oil spill, use eco-friendly products such as Oil Gone Easy S-200 to cleanup oil spill in a safe way without the use of chemicals.

Proper Disposal of Hazardous Wastes

Disposal of toxic products such as mercury from thermometers and paints, solvents, and batteries needs some special attention. You can inquire a local government environment official and find out the nearest hazardous waste disposal site for proper disposal of the waste.

Just keep it in your mind to follow these simple tips that can aid in pollution prevention to a great extent!

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Hurricanes are giant, free-wheeling tropical storms with a wind speed of over 160 miles. Responsible for more than 2.4 trillion gallons of rain on a single day, hurricanes can possibly flood a region with a single hit.

The Alex Hurricane has kick started the official hurricane season in the United States. With the oil spill cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico still under progress, environmentalists fear that hurricane Alex might push the oil spill to other parts of the coast. On the other hand, a few believe that the hurricane might help oil spill dispersal.

Generally, a hurricane will span around 200-300 miles, which is greater than the current size of the oil spill. Therefore, the hurricane’s impact on the oil spill will be minimal but the movement of the hurricane will influence the spread of oil. The storms might carry oil near the shore along with the contaminated debris from the Deepwater Horizon.

The good news is that powerful hurricane winds can tear into the slick, turn it into globules of oil, and accelerate the biodegradation process. The oil-eating microbes can function more effectively on droplets of oil rather than a big pool of oil. In addition, when large sheets of oil are broken down they can be easily weathered by oxygen, which can change the properties of crude oil. The broken down oil globules evaporate at a faster rate from the water surface, aiding the oil spill cleanup.

The use of biodegradable dispersants like Oil Gone Easy S-200 in the cleanup operations would pave way for oil-eating microbes to function efficiently. The Alex hurricane could be a blessing in disguise, as powerful winds could help break up and disperse offshore oil, giving a boost to the stalled oil spill cleanup operations.

Popularity: 4% [?]

The moment we come across an oil spill, one remedy that strikes our mind is the use of oil spill dispersants. Though we’re aware that these dispersants can help contain an oil spill, most of us don’t know its exact working mechanism. We don’t even know if they are a boon or bane. If you have the same doubts in your mind, then read on!

Pros:

Here are some advantages of using oil spill dispersants

• Oil spill dispersants change the chemical and physical properties of oil so that it mixes better with water.

• Oil spill dispersants when used efficiently can prove to be a effective method of oil spill containment.

Cons:

Though using dispersants may seem like a fair idea, it has several drawbacks

• First and foremost, once dispersants break down oil in the deep water, the oil gets to the top surface, which is then contained using booms. But, what makes their use not advisable is the fact that they cannot be used near the shore. If used, they might be even toxic than the oil itself. For instance, Corexit, the dispersant being used in the containment of the recent Gulf oil spill is a kerosene-based dispersant and can be considered hazardous. Also, EPA recommends the use of this dispersant only at depths of 75 meters or deeper.

• Dispersants can be effective only when used within 1 or 2 days after an oil spill, after which natural weathering makes the oil more complex to disperse.

• Dispersed oil also stands the risk of entering the food chain as there are chances of the oil being consumed by planktons.

• Viscous oil cannot be dispersed effectively using chemical dispersants since the oil may run off into the water even before the solvents can penetrate.

Since chemical oil spill dispersants’ cons overweigh pros, you can think of using eco-friendly cleaners, such as Oil Gone Easy S-200, which works using bioremediation technique, to cleanup oil spills.

Popularity: 5% [?]

The recent oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico has caught everyone’s attention around the globe. With the situation getting worse by the day creating, it has raised concern from everywhere. The catastrophe began with the sinking of the rig followed by the explosion. Later, it was discovered that there were two leaks which were actually leaking 5,000 barrels of oil per day greatly threatening the ecosystem as well as the livelihood of those who depend on the marine resources.

Have you ever wondered as to how the crew goes about containing and cleaning an oil spill of such high volume? There are various factors, such the spontaneous response of the crew, the intensity of oil spill, the techniques used in oil spill cleanup, and weather conditions, which affect the whole process.

In case of any oil spill, the containment and skimming method for oil spill cleanup greatly depends on how early the crew manages to reach the site. Use oil spill booms to prevent the oil from spreading and enable easy skimming of oil with the help of boats is one method used. These orange booms work as a barrier and stop the oil from spreading. But these booms often prove futile during unfavorable weather conditions.

Any new inventions, such as waste hair balls, straw gobs, and dried mushroom-bit, which may seem innovative and effective, will not help in immediate recovery as most of them are not approved by the government and they cannot meet the immediate logistic needs as well. Dispersants are also used as an oil spill remediation method. But the drawback with such dispersants is that most of them are kerosene-based and hence toxic.

Of all the techniques, bioremediation can be termed as the most reliable and safe method for oil spill cleanup. Since water and air are warmer throughout the year in the Gulf of Mexico, it will only speed the bioremediation process.

One such EPA-approved bioremediation product that not only aids in oil spill containment, but also in removing oil stains from clothes, shoes, boat, and land, is Oil Gone Easy S-200.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Storm water pollution is undoubtedly a serious cause of concern. But very few of us realize that we contribute to this kind of pollution. There are several factors, such as tipping of litter, chemical pollution, and natural pollution that lead to storm water pollution. It is the duty of each one of us to take measures to keep our waters free from pollution.

Prevention of storm water pollution can be kicked off right from your garage. The most common of all pollutants that pollute storm water is oil spills and oil leaks. It is vital that you check your car or bike, machinery and other oil run equipment for leaks or oil spills often.

Also ensure that you avoid the use of harmful chemicals or detergents for cleaning up oil spill from your garage. Instead use environmentally friendly oil spill cleaners to remove oil spills from the driveway. Oil Gone Easy Home & Driveway S-200, an eco-friendly biodegradable product will help you with this tiring task of oil spill cleanup. Used oil or fluids can be recycled. So avoid dumping into trash or in the storm water drain.

When it comes to your lawn and garden, you have to be careful with the amount of pesticides and fertilizers that you use. Recycling your yard waste and avoiding over watering your plants can help reduce storm water pollution to some extent.

While you begin with your home repair, it is better that you take care of the disposal of the construction residual. There are possibilities of spills and leakages of liquids and oils on the construction site. Making sure that the oil spills are cleaned up immediately is essential.

Storm water pollution by driveway oil spills and domestic fuel tank spills are increasingly high, thus efficient oil spill cleaner should always be at hand. Oil Gone Easy Home & Driveway S-200 is the perfect and safe solution to prevent the disastrous consequences of oil spills.

Popularity: 8% [?]

It can be really frustrating when your car leaves oily stains on the driveway. Not only do these oil stains look unsightly, but they can also pose a hazard to people and the environment. Engine oil leaks are something that cannot be taken lightly. Even though they may seem small, they are likely to affect your car, your wallet, as well as the environment.

Old cars are subject to engine oil leakage more often than the usual. A regular check on the vehicle condition is the best way to prevent oil spills. Forgetting to replace the oil drain plug or not making it tight enough after an oil change are some of the common causes of engine oil leaks. It is advisable to take your vehicle to the mechanic as early as possible to avoid further deterioration. Regular maintenance of cars is also called for to ensure that you don’t have the task of oil stain removal at hand.

Despite all the measures, if engine oil leaks do occur then don’t panic you have a safe and effective solution, Oil Gone Easy Home & Driveway S-200 at hand. It can be a daunting task to remove oil stains from the driveway and recreate the old look. Postponing the cleaning is as bad as the spill itself. The more it is procrastinated the harder it becomes to clean.

As it is engine oil spills are hazardous to environment, but the process of cleaning using chemical substances may prove more harmful than the spill itself. But Oil Gone Easy Home & Driveway S-200 is one eco-friendly product that helps effective oil spill cleanup without causing any further harm. This product works virtually on any surface, including concrete, asphalt, or cement and just has to left on the stain and requires no further cleaning or washing. It is completely biodegradable hence completely safe for your family.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Oil Gone Easy Marine S-200 was reviewed on the Bob’s “NO WAKE ZONE” Reports on KDKD-FM radio. Bob May who is the GM at KDKD AM-FM-Internet Radio in his report talks about Oil Gone Easy Marine S-200. This report gives details about new products and services that can be useful for boaters. The report also gives salient safety features for the boater’s safely return after a day on the water. This report is of assistance to anyone ranging from the owner of a flat bottom or canoe to a 75mph fishing boat.

He is of the opinion that as a boat owner with an inboard engine everyone would have had the problem of oil and transmission fluid in the bilge from time to time. The problem could have been due to the concoction in which oil, water, hydraulic fluid, and antifreeze mixes and gets splashed in the bilge. The concoction gives off an offensive odor which is terrible to handle. He feels that in such a scenario a perfect solution for this problem would be to use the environmentally safe oil stain remover, Oil Gone Easy Marine S-200.

In the report, Bob also discusses the advantages of Oil Gone Easy Marine S-200. He talks about how the product is made in America exclusively for boats. He also states that the product is easy to use as it just has to be poured into the bilge. Just 1 quart of the product is sufficient for a boat of upto 28-feet long.

He claims to have poured the oil stain remover from bow to stern, and it seems to have worked just fine. The wave action disperses the solution and slashes it around to clean the oil in the bilge. This action renders the solution harmless and fit to be released into the water bodies abiding with all federal and local laws. Finally in Bob’s words, to keep the bilge clean and safe it is better to use Oil Gone Easy Marine S-200 every couple of months.

Popularity: 8% [?]

In the recent past, due to extensive industrialization and urbanization oil spill contamination has become a primary concern. One of the most extensive contaminations through oil spills, especially crude oil spills is soil contamination. Crude oil being a complex mixture of organic molecules contains hydrocarbons and is prone to radical chemical, physical, and biological changes and easily penetrates into the soil.

Soil contamination through an oil spill cause deleterious effects, such as health hazards due to underground water contamination, change in soil pH, inhalation of the vaporized toxins from the contaminated soil and also eco-system destruction by making the soil unfit for agriculture. Vegetation contamination and destruction of essential microorganisms in the soil lead to virtual detrimental changes in the primary food chain as well.

Research to prevent soil contamination has led to various methods of oil spill containment. Few such methods are:

• In situ Treatment Methods: Using biological means, such as oil degradation by micro-organisms or chemical-physical process such as incineration are sone of the in situ treatment methods for oil spill cleanup. The drawback with these techniques is that they work better on sandy soils than on soils that contain clay.

• In situ Bioremediation: Oxygen and nutrients are injected into the contaminated soil to enhance the indigenous bacteria to break down the hydrocarbons and convert them into a nutrient source. Oil Gone Easy Home S-200 can be the best option for oil spill containment as this oil spill cleaner makes use of the bioremediation technology in the oil spill cleanup process.

• Air sparging: Also known as venting, this process involves vaporizing of extractions of the contaminants from the soil and the ground water.

• In situ steam injection: It is basically a thermal treatment method, where steam at a very high temperature and compressed air are injected into the contaminated soil for oil spill containment.

Popularity: 18% [?]

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal law that was developed in 1972 to govern water pollution. The purpose of this law was to protect the navigable waterways and shorelines from being polluted and to maintain the quality of water.

According to CWA the common sources of pollution are from oil spills. The oil could be in any form, including petroleum, fuel oil, oil refuse, sludge, and oil mixed with wastes in addition to dredged spoil. Even though discharges, include spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping, it excludes discharges that have got the permit under section 1342. An individual, corporation, partnership, association, state, municipality, commission, or political subdivision of a state, or any interstate body discharging a pollutant into the waters of the U.S.A is required to comply with the Clean Water Act.

From identifying the causes of pollution to the cleanup of polluted areas, the Clean water Act provides guidelines and financial assistance for all. Initially, only the traditional point sources of pollution, such as municipal sewage plants and industrial facilities were focused. Only later were the nonpoint sources of pollution, such as oil runoff from land, studied and researched.

Oil runoff from land is one of the major sources of water pollution. Hence, it is essential for every individual to make sure that small leaks from cars or oil spills at home or garden, does not end in polluting the waterways. Use of eco-friendly oil spill cleaner, such as Oil Gone Easy Home & Driveway S-200 for removing oil from driveway and cleaning motor oil stains can prevent the oil from reaching the waterways.

Boating is another major cause of water pollution. Bilge disposal, sewage disposal, and fuel leakage are the common causes of water pollution from boating. Oil Gone Easy Marine S-200 will help you clean your bilge and protect the local marine environment.
In case of oil spills you can contact Oil Gone Easy S-200, which is on the approved list of federal onsite coordinators, authorized by Environmental Protection Agency in USA for oil spill cleanup.

Popularity: 12% [?]