A Case Study on Oil Spills

A
Mini Project
Report
On
“A Case Study on Oil Spills”
Submitted by
OM A ZAVARE (10303320181152713001)
DEPARTMENT OF PETROCHEMICAL ENGINEERING
DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR TECHNOLOGICAL
UNIVERSITY, LONERE
2020-2021

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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the mini-project report entitled “A Case Study on Oil Spills” is a
bonafide work carried out by Om A Zavare (10303320181152713001) of Third Year
Bachelor of Technology in Petrochemical Engineering of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
Technological University, Lonere in academic year 2020-2021.
Prof. Harshada Jadhav
(Guide)
Examiners:
1.
2.
Place: Lonere
Date:
Dr. S. S. Metkar
(Head of Department)
Dr. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Lonere 402103, Tal. - Mangaon, Dist. - Raigad, (M.S.)
DEPARTMENT OF PETROCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

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ABSTRACT
Most Oil Spills are caused due to human error. Oil been a necessary risk in a society, recent
and avoidable major oil releases have demonstrated that serious improvements in oil spill
response are warranted to improve effectiveness. Industry has looked after many maintenance
procedures to reduce oil spills. The rate of spillage has decreased in the past few years, even
with increased oil production, transportation, and consumption. Despite this, spill experts
estimate that 30% to 50% of oil spills are either directly or indirectly caused by human
error, with 20% to 40% of all spills caused by systematic error. Increasing spill risks
include increased maritime activity in the Arctic, deep-water exploration and development,
and the rapid expansion of rail transport of crude oil. Oil spills have many adverse effects on
the environment. However, efforts for spill containment and recovery are considered to be
only moderately effective. Most often, spilled oil strands on the shoreline and requires
cleanup efforts, though care is needed to minimize additional harm that can slow overall
recovery.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our special thanks to our guide Prof. Harshada Jadhav for her
constant guidance and support. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to her for helping us in every
aspect.
We are grateful to Dr. S. S. Metkar for giving us an opportunity to study on particular topic.
Also, I would like to thank to all other staff members and colleagues who has helped us.
Om Amar Zavare
(10303320181152713001)

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CONTENTS
TITLE ......................................................................................................................................................i
CERTIFICATE.......................................................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT...........................................................................................................................................iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .....................................................................................................................iv
CONTENTS............................................................................................................................................v
LIST OF FIGURES ..............................................................................................................................vii
CHAPTER 1 ...........................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................1
1.1 What are Oil Spills?............................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 2 ...........................................................................................................................................2
HISTORY ...............................................................................................................................................2
2.1 History of Oil Spills ............................................................................................................2
2.2 Recent Oil Spill...................................................................................................................2
2.3 Largest Oil Spills ................................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 3 ...........................................................................................................................................6
REASON AND CAUSES FOR OIL SPILLS ........................................................................................6
3.1 Natural Occurrence..............................................................................................................6
3.2 Anthropogenic Causes.........................................................................................................6
3.3 Oil Transportation ...............................................................................................................7
3.4 Oil Drilling ..........................................................................................................................7
3.5 Drainage System..................................................................................................................8
3.6 War......................................................................................................................................8
3.7 Sporting Activities at Sea....................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 4 ...........................................................................................................................................9
CONSEQUENCES OF OIL SPILLS .....................................................................................................9
4.1 Consequences of spills on Land ..........................................................................................9
4.2 Consequences of spills on Water Bodies.............................................................................9
4.3 Consequences of spills on Sea Plants................................................................................10
4.4 Consequences of spills on Sea Animals............................................................................10
4.5 Consequences of spills on Food Chain..............................................................................11
4.6 Consequences of spills on Human Health.........................................................................11
4.7 Consequences of spills on Coral Reefs .............................................................................11
4.8 Lack of Clean Drinking Water ..........................................................................................12
4.9 Tourism .............................................................................................................................12
CHAPTER 5 .........................................................................................................................................13
CLEANUP AND RECOVERY OF OIL SPILL...................................................................................13
5.1 Bioremediation..................................................................................................................13
5.2 Oil Booms .........................................................................................................................13

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5.3 Sorbents.............................................................................................................................14
5.4 Skimmers...........................................................................................................................14
5.5 Chemical Dispersants........................................................................................................15
5.6 Burning..............................................................................................................................16
CHAPTER 6 ........................................................................................................................................17
PREVENTION AND RESPONSE OF OIL SPILL .............................................................................17
6.1 Report an Oil Spill:............................................................................................................17
6.2 The National Contingency Plan: .......................................................................................17
6.3 Area Contingency Plans:...................................................................................................17
6.4 Facility Contingency Plans:...............................................................................................18
CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES .....................................................................................................................................20

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1: Oil Spill ................................................................................................................................1
Figure 2.1: MV Wakashio (Mauritius) ...................................................................................................2
Figure 2.2: Areal View of MV Wakashio...............................................................................................3
Figure 2.3: Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig..................................................................................................3
Figure 2.4: Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig..................................................................................................4
Figure 3.1: Oil Drilling Underwater .......................................................................................................7
Figure 4.1: Wiping Cat Island.................................................................................................................9
Figure 4.2: Effect of Oil Spill on Sea Plants.........................................................................................10
Figure 4.3: Sea Animals Covered in Oil...............................................................................................10
Figure 4.4: River Affected by Oil Spill.................................................................................................12
Figure 5.1: Oil Booms...........................................................................................................................13
Figure 5.2: Sorbents..............................................................................................................................14
Figure 5.3: Skimmers............................................................................................................................15
Figure 5.4: Spraying of Dispersant from Airplane................................................................................15
Figure 5. 5: Burning of Oil Spill...........................................................................................................16

A Report on “A Case Study on Oil Spills”
1
Dept. of Petrochemical Engg. Dr. BATU. Lonere
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 What are Oil Spills?
An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially
the marine ecosystem, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. The term is usually
given to marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters, but spills may
also occur on land.
Oil spills may be due to releases of crude oil from tankers, offshore platforms, drilling rigs
and wells, as well as spills of refined petroleum products (such as gasoline, diesel) and their
by-products, heavier fuels used by large ships such as bunker fuel, or the spill of any oily
refuse or waste oil. Oil spills penetrate into the structure of the plumage of birds and the fur
of mammals, reducing its insulating ability, and making them more vulnerable to temperature
fluctuations and much less buoyant in the water.
Cleanup and recovery from an oil spill is difficult and depends upon many factors, including
the type of oil spilled, the temperature of the water (affecting evaporation and
biodegradation), and the types of shorelines and beaches involved. Spills may take weeks,
months or even years to clean up. Oil spills can have disastrous consequences for society;
economically, environmentally, and socially.
As a result, oil spill accidents have initiated intense media attention and political uproar,
bringing many together in a political struggle concerning government response to oil spills
and what actions can best prevent them from happening.
Figure 1.1: Oil Spill

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CHAPTER 2
HISTORY
2.1 History of Oil Spills
Crude oil and refined fuel spills from tanker ship accidents have damaged vulnerable
ecosystems in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, France, the Sundarbans,
Ogoniland (Southern Nigeria), and many other places. The quantity of oil spilled during
accidents has ranged from a few hundred tons to several hundred thousand tons (e.g.,
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Atlantic Empress, Amoco Cadiz), but volume is a limited
measure of damage or impact.
Smaller spills have already proven to have a great impact on ecosystems, such as the Exxon
Valdez oil spill because of the remoteness of the site or the difficulty of an emergency
environmental response. Since 2004, between 300 and 700 barrels of oil per day have been
leaking from the site of an oil-production platform 12 miles off the Louisiana coast which
sank in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.
2.2 Recent Oil Spill
The most recent oil spill occurred on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020 at south coast of Mauritius. The
oil tanker MV Wakashio, reported to be carrying nearly 4,000 metric tons of oil, ran aground
on a coral reef on the island of Mauritius’s southeast coast. The MV Wakashio (large capsize
bulk carrier) oil spill occurred offshore of Pointe d'Esny, south of Mauritius, after the
Japanese bulk carrier Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef on 25 July 2020 at around 16:00
UTC. The ship began to leak fuel oil in the following weeks, and broke apart in mid-August.
Although much of the oil on board Wakashio was pumped out before she broke in half, an
estimated 1,000 tons of oil spilled into the ocean in what was called by some scientists the
worst environmental disaster ever in Mauritius.
Figure 2.1: MV Wakashio (Mauritius)

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Two weeks after the incident, the Mauritian government declared the incident a national
emergency A stricken ship off the coast of Mauritius which has already leaked about 1,000
metric tons of oil into a pristine Indian Ocean lagoon could be about to break in two, experts
fear spelling disaster for the ecologically rich area. The spill is close to two environmentally
protected marine ecosystems and the Blue Bay Marine Park reserve. Nearby are a number of
popular tourist beaches and mangrove plantations.
2.3 Largest Oil Spills
The oil spill, which officials estimate could continue throughout the 21st century, will
eventually overtake the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster as the largest ever also
known as Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill or BP Oil Spill, but there are currently no efforts to cap
the many leaking well heads. Oil spills at sea are generally much more damaging than those
on land, since they can spread for hundreds of nautical miles in a thin oil slick which can
cover beaches with a thin coating of oil.
These can kill seabirds, mammals, shellfish and other organisms they coat. Oil spills on land
are more readily containable if a makeshift earth dam can be rapidly bulldozed around the
spill site before most of the oil escapes, and land animals can avoid the oil more easily.
Figure 2.2: Areal View of MV Wakashio
Figure 2.3: Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig

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According to new estimates released on Aug. 2, 2010, more than 172 gallons of oil spilled
into the Gulf of Mexico between April and July 15. This makes it the largest accidental spill
of all time, though still likely smaller than the intentionally caused Gulf War spill.
If current estimates for the Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico are correct, the
massive spill could eventually dwarf that of Exxon Valdez spill of 1989 previously the largest
in U.S. history almost by as much as three times. At a rate of 5,000 barrels a day, for an
estimated 90 days, well over 20 million gallons of crude could be pumped out onto the
Louisiana coastline. Even then, it might only crack the top 15 largest oil spills in world
history. Here are the top 4.
1. THE IXTOC 1 OIL WELL
Location: Gulf of Mexico
Date: June 3, 1979 – March 23, 1980
Amount: 138 million gallons
How it happened: This exploratory oil well suffered a catastrophic blowout (whereby
pressure causes the well to explode), caught fire, and caused the drilling platform to collapse.
For months, 10,000 to 30,000 barrels of oil gushed into the ocean every day.
Figure 2.4: Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig

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2. ATLANTIC EMPRESS/AEGEAN CAPTAIN COLLISION
Location: Trinidad and Tobago
Date: July 19, 1979
How it happened: Two fully loaded oil carriers, the Atlantic Empress and the Aegean
Captain, collided 10 miles off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago during a tropical rainstorm.
Both ships caught fire and began leaking their contents in what would become the largest
tanker-based spill ever recorded.
3. NOWRUZ PLATFORM
Location: Persian Gulf
Date: February 4, 1983 – September 18, 1983
How it happened: During the height of the Iran-Iraq War, an oil tanker hit the Nowruz Field
Platform in the gulf and knocked it onto a 45-degree angle, damaging the well underneath.
The resulting leak of 1,500 barrels a day could not be capped for months because the
platform was under constant attack by Iraqi planes.
4. ABT SUMMER
Location: Off the coast of Angola
Date: May 28, 1991
How it happened: The ABT Summer, a tanker holding 260,000 tons of crude, suffered an
explosion 900 miles off the coast of Angola. It burned for three days before sinking and was
never recovered. Luckily, high seas dispersed the oil and dulled its potential environmental
impact.

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CHAPTER 3
REASON AND CAUSES FOR OIL SPILLS
3.1 Natural Occurrence
Natural causes such as oil that seeps from the bottom of oceans which enters the marine
environment. Crude oil is formed during long periods of time through natural processes
involving organic matter from dead organisms. Thus, oil exists in many environments and
may be naturally spilled due to various factors (including climatic conditions, disturbance,
etc.). Such natural oil spills may occur in oceans, due to eroding of sedimentary rocks from
the bottom of the ocean (the effect may be similar with that of an accidental oil spill from
human drilling in oceans such as the BP oil spill from the Gulf of Mexico).
Organic matter from dead living organisms is vital in the formation of oil. Therefore, oil
exists in most parts of the earth but deep down. Additionally, oil is found in seas but deep
down the underlying rock of the sea. So, natural occurrences such as hurricanes, earthquakes,
sea storms, and other climatic disturbances cause natural oil spills. In seas the underlying
rocks are found closer to the sea hence when erosion happens it is easier for an oil spill to
happen.
Furthermore, when an earthquake happens and it occurs in a region where oil drilling,
transportation, or storage is situated the chances of oil spills happening is high. Hence, the oil
may be washed to the nearest waterbody. When hurricane Ivan happened, it led to the sinking
of an oil production firm on the coast of Louisiana. This led to leakage of oil between 300-
700 barrels a day.
3.2 Anthropogenic Causes
Anthropogenic (originating in human activity) cause of oil spill including accidental oil spills
(such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico) as well as leaks and spills due to a large
variety of human activities related to oil refining, handling and transport, storage and use of
crude oil and any of its distilled products. Thus, it is evident that a variety of sources for oil
spills and a variety of ways the oil could be spilled exist.
While various anthropogenic and natural sources of oil spill pollution determine the type and
amount of oil spilled, as well as the location of the oil spill, the type of the oil spill pollution
is important for the fate and transport of the spilled oil and its impact on humans and the
environment. For example: a sudden oil spill involving large amounts spilled (thousands or
even millions of gallons - such as that from an oil tanker failure or accidents in offshore

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drilling) could have disastrous effects due to the high concentrations of released contaminants
and the difficulty to remediate such big spills. At the same time, an oil spill involving small
but continuous releases such as those from leaking pipelines or road runoffs may have little
visible effect (they are naturally attenuated usually due to microbial degradation as well as
due to many chemical-physical processes).
The type, amount of oil discharged and its location will dictate the oil spill cleanup efforts,
which could involve deployment of adsorbent booms, controlled burning, bioremediation,
emulsification using detergents for increased degradation. Even though numerous climate
factors and natural disturbances can generate oil spills, the main causes of oil spill pollution
are usually of anthropogenic origin.
3.3 Oil Transportation
Large oil spills in the world are due to oil transportation. Oil tankers usually have faulty
issues or some collide with other ships hence causing massive oil spills. When such an
occurrence happens thousands of barrels of crude oil freely spill to the sea. This is very
harmful to aquatic life.
For example, when Castillo de Bellver a Spanish oil tanker had fire accidentally on its way to
Spain from the Persian Gulf it pilled more than 200,000 tons of crude oil. This happened
kilometers from cape town.
Apart from oil tankers spilling oil other transportation causes include pipelines that pass
undersea. The pipelines may start leaking due to lack of maintenance. This always leads to oil
spillage. However, this scenario is rare but most oil spills are due to oil tankers.
3.4 Oil Drilling
Oil drilling is one of the causes of the oil spill. On-shore and off-shore oil drilling are some of
the worst ways oil can find its way to the sea. Currently, many oil rigs are being drilled in
seas. Some of which have technical issues hence causing oil spillage. The worst oil spill
Figure 3.1: Oil Drilling Underwater

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caused by off-shore oil drilling happened in the Mexican Gulf.
An oil well owned by a Pemex a Mexican Oil Company malformed leading to spillage of oil
of almost 30,000 barrels. This caused a catastrophe to marine life in the area of around
704,000 acres. The American government started a cleanup of the sea but the use of Corexit
never solved the issue but caused numerous health problems to residents and to the marine
life.
3.5 Drainage System
People intentionally drain oil products without considering their effects on the environment.
This happens always when mechanics spill oil after changing oil from vehicle or motorcycle
engines. Most of these drainage systems are connected to large water bodies. This is a
hazardous cause of aquatic life. It might seem like a small cause but it is considered as an
intentional cause of oil spill.
3.6 War
This is another cause of the oil spill in the world. Most countries in the middle east are rich in
oil something that has led to an unending fight between militants, international soldiers, and
government soldiers. This has led to the disruption of normal activities in those countries. In
addition, due to many oil wells hence, smuggling has been a key financial route for the
militants. These have also caused massive oil spills.
Another country that has had massive oil spills due to war in Nigeria. Nigeria is the second
leading producer of oil in the world. But due to war ravaging, these oil-producing country
militants have taken over certain oil wells. Due to traditional ways of refining oil, the number
of oil spills that is happening in the Niger Delta is massive causing health effects to residents
and marine life.
3.7 Sporting Activities at Sea
This happens rarely but when it happens it is very hazardous. Many sporting activities take
place at sea. And they are prone to accidents when this happens oil spillage is obvious
because most of this equipment’s used depend on petroleum products to move. Most
equipment used for sporting activities include speedboats and jet skis.

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CHAPTER 4
CONSEQUENCES OF OIL SPILLS
4.1 Consequences of spills on Land
Oil spilled on land does not spread quickly unlike on water, and the effects remain localized.
Most types of oil will penetrate the soil and contaminate organisms in the soil. A full coating
of fresh crude oil or diesel fuel will kill most plants and small trees on contact. Because of the
usually limited area of impact, however, the effects of oil on land environments are not as
great a concern as for marine environments.
Wiping Cat Island, which used to be about the size of four American football fields, from the
face of the earth in less than a decade took a different kind of devastation: the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill of 2010.
The oil comes down, it kills the mangroves, which then kills the root system. And the root is
holding together this island, and without that root system holding together, the sediment it
just erodes away.
4.2 Consequences of spills on Water Bodies
Light Oil from oil spill remains on the near surface and evaporates quickly but its highly
lethal. Medium and Heavy Oil having high density than water settles in lowers water columns
and does long term damage over years.
An oil spill in the ocean affects the water cycle first when it is in evaporation. When
contaminated water evaporates the oil may also evaporates and get into the clouds where it is
condensate with non-contaminated water. This may cause something known as acid rain
Figure 4.1: Wiping Cat Island

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when precipitation takes place, it can kill plant-life and contaminates the same source of
water or other like stream and rivers.
4.3 Consequences of spills on Sea Plants
Sea Plants are very important for survival of marine animals. Without this, there would be no
life in the sea. When an oil spill happens there will be no entry of oxygen in the sea. This will
lead to the death of sea plants due to lack of oxygen. Additionally, the lack of oxygen means
there will be no photosynthesis.
Humans depend on the photosynthesis that takes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere by
plants because without the plants doing this, there would not be carbon to breathe. In an oil
spill some plants die and this reduces the carbon dioxide in the environment.
The carbon cycle would be affected in the way that there would not be much carbon which
ultimately affects humans and other species.
4.4 Consequences of spills on Sea Animals
Aquatic animals are the most affected when an oil spill happens. They will die to lack of
oxygen in the sea. Apart from just dying they usually starve for a while. For example, some
seabirds usually use scent to locate their babies and when an oil spill happens it means that
they will not be able to find their babies leaving them to die due to starvation.
Figure 4.3: Sea Animals Covered in Oil
Figure 4.2: Effect of Oil Spill on Sea Plants

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Oil spills kill species in great numbers, especially the ones that are found on the sea surface
or the sea shorelines because oil floats on water. This species is the most harmed when there
is an oil spill. The specie that is mostly affected are the seabirds and the sea otters. The
population sizes of the species are even reduced up to 30% when oil spills occur.
Other sea animals affected by oil spills are sea mammals. When this catastrophe happens the
fur on these sea mammals are affected. The fur is important because it always acts as an
insulator. And when oil comes into contact with the fur it reduces its insulating effect and
hypothermia eventually leading to death. Clogged blowholes of whales and dolphins due to
oil leads in their death by drowning.
4.5 Consequences of spills on Food Chain
A food chain is the process in which energy flows through all of the species that make up an
ecosystem, it starts with sunlight and ends with the decomposers that provide energy to first
trophic level species. Oil spills affect the food chain by killing the animals that form part of
it. This disarticulates the food chain order and organization; it may cause the overpopulation
of a specie as well as under population.
4.6 Consequences of spills on Human Health
Oil spill doesn't affect marine life alone but also humans are threatened when a spill happens.
Petroleum products contain toxic chemicals such as benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and toluene. When these chemicals are inhaled by humans
it causes health problems. More especially they affect lungs which are a major organ in the
human body responsible for breathing.
4.7 Consequences of spills on Coral Reefs
A coral reef is a marine ecosystem that consists of thousands of species, they support more
species per unit area than any other marine ecosystem. This species interacts with each other
and with abiotic factors, the sun is the main source of energy for this ecosystem. It is
converted into chemical energy by algae and phytoplankton through photosynthesis and then
it is passed to species that will eat them.
Coral reefs are spread through almost all around the globe they are located mostly near the
coastlines of the continents and below the equatorial line. Two big location are the Gulf of
Mexico and the great barrier of reef in Australia.

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Coral reefs act as habitat to marine animals. Once coral reefs come into contact with oil, they
tend to stop its growth. And when this happens it causes enormous effects to live organisms
in water. Most affected are marine invertebrates which depend on corals for survival.
The animals that are killed in corals reefs are:
SEA TURTLES: Kills Them Directly. Hawksbill and Leatherback
SEA MAMMALS: Affect Reproduction and Kill Them. Dolphins and Whale
FISH: Affects Their Reproduction. Sturgeon and Seahorses
INVERTEBRATES: Kills Them Directly. Corals and Lobsters
MARINE PLANTS: Oil Is Toxic and Kill Them. Seagrasses
4.8 Lack of Clean Drinking Water
Medicated Clean drinking water is essential for human life. And lack of clean drinking water
may lead to waterborne diseases hence causing death. This epidemic once happened in
Malaysia when oil spilled into a water supply.
4.9 Tourism
Once an oil spill happens in a location where tourism was the key financial factor. The
number of people who will visit that region reduces drastically. Hence, causing tough
economic times in that region or country.
Figure 4.4: River Affected by Oil Spill

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CHAPTER 5
CLEANUP AND RECOVERY OF OIL SPILL
5.1 Bioremediation
Bioremediation is use of microorganisms or biological agents to break down or remove oil;
such as Alcanivorax bacteria or Methylocella silvestris (alkane-degrading marine bacteria’s).
A binder molecule that moves hydrocarbons out of water and into gels, when combined
with nutrients, encourages natural bioremediation. Oleophilic, hydrophobic chemical,
containing no bacteria, which chemically and physically bonds to both soluble and insoluble
hydrocarbons.
The accelerator acts as a herding agent in water and on the surface, floating molecules such
as phenol to the surface of the water, forming gel-like agglomerations. Undetectable levels of
hydrocarbons can be obtained in produced water and manageable water columns. By over
spraying sheen with bioremediation accelerator, sheen is eliminated within minutes.
Whether applied on land or on water, the nutrient-rich emulsion creates a bloom of local,
indigenous, pre-existing, hydrocarbon-consuming bacteria. Those specific bacteria break
down the hydrocarbons into water and carbon dioxide, with EPA tests showing 98% of
alkanes biodegraded in 28 days; and aromatics being biodegraded 200 times faster than in
nature they also sometimes use the hydrofireboom to clean the oil up by taking it away from
most of the oil and burning it.
5.2 Oil Booms
Oil Booms are the most common and popular equipment used in oil clean-up due to their
simpler design and easier execution. These are also called “Containment Booms” which
encloses the oil to a smaller area and not let it spread further. They have three parts namely:
Figure 5.1: Oil Booms

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Freeboard; Skirt and Cable or Chain.
Freeboard is the portion which is extended beyond the water surface and thwarts splashing oil
above the top. The skirt is positioned at a place down the water surface and squeezes the oil
under the boom and not let it escape or spread. For stabilization and strengthening of a boom,
a cable or chain is provided, until it is completely filled.
5.3 Sorbents
The materials which can adsorb or absorb the liquid are termed as sorbents. It is an easy
process of oil cleanup. Most common sort of sorbents we all are familiar with are peat moss,
vermiculite (straw) and hay.
Some other features of sorbents are as follows:
• These are the materials which result in the least wastage and prevent the progression
of pollution
• These are highly useful for the small spills with the highest efficiency
• These are also used to remove the small tints of large spill cleanups
• There is also a difficulty in working with sorbents that are sorbents become denser
than water after absorbing oil and may possibly sink to the bottom of the sea.
5.4 Skimmers
Once the oil is bounded by oil booms it can be extracted or skimmed easily with the help of
skimmers or oil scoops. These skimmers are fitted onto boats and remove the floating oil or
greasy contaminants.
Figure 5.2: Sorbents

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These are the mechanical equipment which works on the same principle as a vacuum cleaner.
It sucks all the oil which is spread over the confined surface of the water in oil booms. These
use physical separation of oil and water and make it available for further use. Other main
features of skimmers are as follows:
• It is an economical method of oil cleanup because the equipment used for skimming
oil are relatively cheaper.
• There is a major loophole in the use of skimmer in oil decantation is that if debris is
present in the confined region it can choke or clog the skimmer easily.
Requires calm waters at all times during the process. Vessels used for skimming clean up are
called Gulp Oil Skimmers.
5.5 Chemical Dispersants
Dispersants can be used to dissipate oil slicks. A dispersant is either a non-surface-active
polymer or a surface-active substance added to a suspension, usually a colloid, to improve the
separation of particles and to prevent settling or clumping.
Figure 5.3: Skimmers
Figure 5.4: Spraying of Dispersant from Airplane

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They may rapidly disperse large amounts of certain oil types from the sea surface by
transferring it into the water column. They will cause the oil slick to break up and form
water-soluble micelles that are rapidly diluted.
The oil is then effectively spread throughout a larger volume of water than the surface from
where the oil was dispersed. They can also delay the formation of persistent oil-in-water
emulsions. However, laboratory experiments showed that dispersants increased toxic
hydrocarbon levels in fish by a factor of up to 100 and may kill fish eggs.
Dispersed oil droplets infiltrate into deeper water and can lethally contaminate coral.
Research indicates that some dispersants are toxic to corals. A 2012 study found that Corexit
dispersant had increased the toxicity of oil by up to 52 times. In 2019, the U.S. National
Academies released a report analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of several response
methods and tools.
5.6 Burning
It is similar to burning rice husk after yielding rice crop. In this method, the floating oil is set
to fire by igniting it safely. It is the most proficient method of oil clean up as it can efficiently
remove 98% of total spilt oil.
Other features of burning in-situ the spilt oil is briefed as under:
• It works safely and efficiently for the oil spread with a thickness of 3 millimeters and
larger spread.
• This method is not eco-friendly as it releases toxic gases from the burning of oils to
the environment.
Controlled burning can effectively reduce the amount of oil in water, if done properly. But it
can only be done in low wind, and can cause air pollution.
Figure 5. 5: Burning of Oil Spill

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CHAPTER 6
PREVENTION AND RESPONSE OF OIL SPILL
6.1 Report an Oil Spill:
Any person or organization responsible for a release or spill is required to notify the federal
government when the amount reaches a federally-determined limit.
Separate reporting requirements exist for:
• Oil spills
• Hazardous substance releases
EPA (Environment Protection Agency) has established requirements to report spills to
navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. States also may have separate reporting
requirements. However, anyone who discovers a hazardous substance release or oil spill is
encouraged to contact the federal government, regardless of whether they are the responsible
party
6.2 The National Contingency Plan:
The federal government has designed a spill response plan, called the National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, also called the National Contingency Plan
or NCP. The NCP ensures that the resources and expertise of the federal government would
be available for those relatively rare, but very serious, oil spills that require a national
response.
This plan was designed primarily to assist with coordinating the various federal agencies that
are responsible for dealing with oil spill emergencies. The following chapter discusses the
roles of the different federal agencies and how the NCP fits in with the National Response
System.
6.3 Area Contingency Plans:
Because a single plan cannot address the unique conditions of all areas, EPA and other
organizations have developed many plans for smaller areas. These plans, known as Area
Contingency Plans, may cover only a few counties. These plans describe the area covered by
the plan; describe the responsibilities of an owner or operator and of government agencies in
removing, mitigating, or preventing a discharge; and list all equipment, dispersants, or other

18
mitigating substances and devices available to an owner or operator and government agencies
to ensure effective and immediate removal, mitigation, or prevention of a discharge.
Area Contingency Plans may be broken into sub-areas based on higher risk, such as busy
transportation corridors and environmentally sensitive areas. Area and sub-area contingency
plans are prepared with the involvement of the local, state, and federal governments, as well
as with state and federal Natural Resource Trustees.
Natural Resource Trustees are federal, state, or tribal officials who act on behalf of the public
for resources under their control. They are important to contingency planning because they
often have special knowledge about areas where oil might be spilled and resources that might
be affected.
6.4 Facility Contingency Plans:
Every facility in the United States that stores or refines oil products, whether owned by a
private company or operated by a government agency, is required to develop a plan for
dealing with an accidental release of oil on its property.

19
CONCLUSION
OIL SPILLS, especially the BP Oil spill, have increased public awareness about the risks
involved in the drilling, storage and transport of oil. The location of a spill and a lack of
necessary equipment and carefulness often add to response problems. Prevention of spills is
the first line of defense, and the oil industry, together with federal agencies, should take steps
to reduce the risks of oil spills. Once a spill occurs, however, improved response coordination
between federal, state, and local authorities should be produce for more rapid and effective
cleanup actions and decrease the environmental impact of the discharge. A program to
provide better training of emergency response personnel must be prepared, and safety issues
are being addressed. Cleaning techniques that are more effective and less labor-intensive are
being developed. Studies of the long-term environmental effects of oil spills and their
influence on food chains in oceans, freshwater, and on land are now underway.

20
REFERENCES
1. "Major Oil Spills". International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation. Archived from the
original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
2. "Oil Spill History". The Mariner Group. Archived from the original on 2012-08-05.
Retrieved 2008-11-02
3. "Oil Tanker Spill Information Pack". London: International Tanker Owners Pollution
Federation. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
4. “Impact of Oil Spills on Marine Life, Emerging Pollutants in the Environment”, Ismail
M.K. Saadoun (September 2nd 2015)., DOI: 10.5772/60455.
5. "Internal Documents: BP Estimates Oil Spill Rate up to 100,000 Barrels Per Day".
Consumer Energy Report (20 June 2010). Consumer Energy Report. Archived from the
original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
6. “Oil Spills: Causes, Consequences, Prevention, and Countermeasures.” Michel,
Jacqueline & Fingas, Merv. (2016). DOI: 10.1142/9789814699983_0007.

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