Oil Spill Blog

Oil Spill Refinery

Oil refineries produce different types of fuel from crude oil such as petroleum, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas. However, along with these fuels, there are many other toxic materials that are routinely produced and released into the environment.

Currently almost all refineries around the world pollute the environment at unacceptable, unhealthy levels. They are one of the major contributors of oil spill pollution in the United States and the negative effects of the toxic effluents released by them are plainly evident.

Chemical pollution and oil spill pollution prove harmful as they go on unrestrictedly. Vegetation dies off and land is made barren. Waterways get polluted by the oil spills and toxic materials and the local fauna get severely affected. These contaminants seep into the groundwater as well, causing great concern about community health and safety.

As the crude oil is refined, a number of chemicals are released into the environment, polluting heavily. These chemicals have been known to cause extensive damage to the human health as well. Benzene has been linked to cancer whereas lead inhibits children’s mental development and ability to learn.

Skin irritations, asthma, cough, and bronchitis, are also commonly attributed to gaseous effluents from oil refineries. These emissions cause permanent damage and even death over prolonged exposure.

Accidental fires, explosions, and chemical and gas leaks are common at oil refineries. Such accidents release more than usual amounts of pollutants, resulting in acute exposure and greater health impacts.

To prevent such pollution, refineries have to take corrective steps. Proper handling of the wastes and immediate cleanup of spilled oil in an eco-friendly manner would be beneficial for all. Oil Gone Easy S-200 is an eco-friendly product which uses bioremediation to help in cleaning up oil spills, both crude and refined, effectively and naturally. This environmentally safe product is also available in convenient gallon pails.

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Oil Spills in Ports

Large oil tankers load and discharge oil at ports, and there’s every possibility for oil to spill out. Oil spill pollution in ports should be taken care of immediately as it can cause direct damage to the marine ecosystem. It causes toxic accumulation, and even death of the marine plants and animals within a very short period of time.

Oil spill cleanup methods in ports are same as that of other spill cleaning strategies; the only difference is the requirement of instantaneous response. Whenever there is oil spill in a port, the first response is to find out its source and secure the spill. Any leaking tanker valve or loose-fitting nozzle should be identified and fixed. Immediate steps should be taken to bring the spill under control and also the removed oil should be degraded in a safe way.

Large wharves present in ports can accumulate oil under their surfaces, and it becomes too difficult to find out the oil spill unless they show up themselves. Ship propellers or vacuum pumps are used to suck out the oil that is hidden underneath. Again, the recovered oil should be treated in an appropriate way to prevent any possible damage to the environment.

If oil dispersing agents are harsh on the environment, then what could be an effective oil spill cleanup strategy? Use of oil spill containment products that adopt green technology is a better option. Oil Gone Easy S-200 is one such green product that makes use of hydrocarbon eating bacteria for effective oil spill cleanup. It can give oil spill free clean ports in a matter of days! This product has been used in the cleanup of the Port of Pensacola.

It’s always better to avoid spills. But, in a place where there are hundreds of oil tankers loading and bunkering all types of oil, completely preventing oil spills is almost next to impossible. Even so, giving a good try is always feasible. A good waste management system in ports with adequate resources to handle oil leaks and other oily wastes is necessary. Careful handling of greasy materials is also equally important. Clean ports without oil specks are possible with Oil Gone Easy S-200!

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Oil spill cleanups are considered to be highly complex because no two oil spills are the same. Oil spills can differ in terms of oil types, locations, and weather conditions. Many different approaches are being adopted to fight oil spills and oil spill pollution. The main methods currently being used are natural dispersal, booms and skimmers, dispersants, in-situ burning, and bioremediation.

The natural way

If an oil spill is unlikely to affect the coastal region or the ecosystem, then it is usually best to let it disperse naturally. The wind, sun, current, and waves work together to disperse and evaporate oils quickly.

Booms and skimmers

Spilled oil floats on water and forms a slick that ranges from fractions of a millimeter to a few millimeters thick. Different types of booms ranging from inflatable neoprene tubes to solid, buoyant material are used to enclose the slick and isolate as well as restrict its movement. The slick is then scooped or sucked into storage tanks by skimmers. However, booms and skimmers require calm waters and are not very effective in high winds and high seas.

Dispersants and in-situ burning

Using an oil spill dispersant is another common way to clean oil spills. These materials break down the oil into its chemical components and help disperse it, thereby minimizing the damage to the ecosystem. For optimal results, dispersants should be applied within two hours of the spill.

In-situ burning, where the oil on the water surface is ignited, is also a method used to fight oil spillage. However, it is not eco-friendly, as it produces toxic smoke that can harm the environment. Bioremediation, on the other hand, is a very environmentally-friendly option.

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the process of using microorganisms or their enzymes to restore the environment affected by a spill to its original condition. Green products, like Oil Gone Easy S-200, help clean oil spills without harming the environment through bioremediation.

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