How to Clean Oil Spills in Lakes
- 1). Contain the area by using booms. Booms are contraptions that can be placed in the water to surround an oil spill. Because the oil is lighter than water, it will stay floating on the surface and will not mix with the water. If a tanker is leaking oil, a boom may be placed around it. Booms can be made out of inflatable material or may be solid tubes that float. They usually rise about a meter out of the water to ensure that no oil will escape. Sometimes areas like fish farms and protected environmental areas are blocked by these booms.
- 2). Use skimmers to clean up the oil. These are machines that float on top of the water and skim the oil off the surface. They are contained inside the boom. The oil is usually scooped or suctioned into a holding tank.
- 3). Introduce dispersant to aid in degradation of the oil. Sometimes, it is impossible to contain an oil spill or skim it without the use of some kind of agent. A dispersant acts by breaking down the bonds in the oil that keep it from dissolving into water. It works in the same way that dish soap cuts through grease when you are washing dishes. The problem with using a dispersant is that it does not remove the oil, it only dissolves it into the water. This makes it less concentrated, but it can still harm the environment. Often, particles of oil will contaminate sea life and vegetation, even seafood supplies.
- 4). Use biological agents to break down oils. There are certain types of bacteria and organisms that can break down oil particles and convert it into much less harmful substances. This is what naturally happens over time to oil that is washed onshore. Often, certain agents can be added to the water, like nitrogen and phosphorus, to speed up the process. These elements act as fertilizer and encourage the organisms to grow rapidly.