NEW CONCEPT OF OIL DISPERSION IN VIEW OF CLEAN UP BY DEGRADATION

ABSTRACT Some misunderstanding has arisen from evidence of deleterious effects of oil dispersion, leading to the conclusion that such a treatment is more dangerous than the pollution itself. In fact, the main objective is to promote the speed of degradation by parcelling of oil, the droplets becoming widespread and bursting at the ocean surface to form films which quickly will disintegrate under microbial actions. With new dispersant formulations, the hydrocarbon pollutants will tend to separate out from sea water so that living organisms would not be injured in the comparatively clean water below. Meanwhile, by its chemical composition, the dispersant will bring nutrients to the medium and, moreover, will remain within the oil phase.</jats:p