OIL SPILL RESPONSE

EQUIPMENT

Oil Spill ResponseWhy do we care about oil spill response

equipment?How does this equipment affect us?

Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS)

Methods for cleaning up oil spillsMechanicalBurningChemicalShoreline clean-upBiological

Mechanical ContainmentBooms and Skimmers

BoomsWhen are they used?How do they work?Where do they have problems?

SkimmersWhat types are there?How do they work?What problems are associated with

skimmers?

Burning

Chemical MethodsDispersantsHerdersSolidifiers

Dispersants

Solidifiers

Other MethodsShoreline CleanupBioremediation

Shoreline Cleanup

Top: http://faculty.buffalostate.edu/smithrd/PR/Exxon.htmRight: © Ron Cogswell

BioremediationUse of bacteria to eat oilHas to be used in moderation

Bacteria used to help clean-up the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico (Image: Courtesy of Heimholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI))