Saturday 12 March 2011

Marine Pollution Control

By Travis Zdrazil
Oil spills are harmful to aquatic plants and wildlife, including
fish, birds and humans. Oil enters waterway and affect the drinking
water. Gasoline and oil contain carcinogens, which are known to cause
cancer. Marine oil spills are man made hazards that threaten the
integrity of our lakes and streams. These spills can range from small
spills from recreational boats to larger, more serious oil spills from
commercial vessels. Controlling these potentially dangerous spills
is critical to the integrity of our waterways.
Marine pollution prevention includes petroleum control, bilge/water cleanup,
fuel and oil spill cleanup The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972
and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 prohibit the discharge of oil of any kind
onto or upon the navigable waters of the United States. This includes any
discharge that causes a film, sheen, discoloration, sludge or emulsion on or
beneath the surface of the water. A discharge of these types may result in a
stiff civil penalties.
Problem:
One quart of oil creates an oil slick that is over 2 acres in diameter.
A single gallon of fuel will contaminate a million gallons of water.
Gasoline and other petroleum product effect the marine environment
negatively and must be contained.
To prevent marine pollution, absorbent bilge pads absorb petroleum products
but not water. When the bilge is soaked with oil they must be disposed of properly.
If not disposed of in a proper manner, they may be a major source of marine pollution
because they collect engine oil,antifreeze and transmission fluids.
When the bilge pump is activated the fluids are pumped overboard.
Solution: Bilge Booms
  • Lower a bilge boom into your bilge, sump or tank to catch oil.
  • Place an oil absorbent pad under the engine
  • Replace oil absorbent materials when heavily soiled or saturated
  • Keep the engine tuned: Check for leaking seals, gaskets or hoses.
  • Change oil filters often
  • Never discharge or pump any bilge water that appears oily into or near the water

Bilge Booms Won't sink, even when saturated. Bilge booms Will float indefinitely.
Bilge booms can be wring able, dustless and are impervious to both rot and mildew.
They come with loops for a rope for easy deployment or fastening. Bilge booms are
available in three sizes.Problem: Oil Spill from Boat Engine
Fuel may be spilled while putting gas in the engine. Sometimes there is a
backsplash out of the fuel intake or as overflow out of the vent fitting.
Spills of this sort are harmful to aquatic life. If you have a spill do not
hose it into the water. It is better to use a oil absorbent sweep to wipe up the spill
Solution: Oil Absorbent Sweep
If fuel is spilled into the water use an Oil Absorbent Sweep. The Oil
Absorbent Sweep is designed with built in straps. The absorbent sweep
can be drawn over the water surface to absorb broad sheens or surface
spills. This is a great way to clean up oil spills on water.
You should never use soap or dish detergent to disperse oil.
The detergents will disperse in the waterways and are not biodegradable.
Detergents are a major source of pollution.
Solution-2: Oil Absorbent Booms
Oil absorbent booms are perfect for marine and industrial spill containment
Oil booms are constructed with a strong mesh outer skin encasing a
highly sorbent polypropylene filler. A nylon rope and steel hardware
ensure long-lasting durability and easy retrieval. Oil Absorbent Booms
repels water and won't sink even when saturated. Oil Absorbent booms are
available in 5" and 8" diameters with lengths of 10 Ft. or 20 Ft.
Cleanup of oil can be achieved with the use of sorbents, gels, and foams. Sorbents
are compounds that immobilize the oil by surface absorption and are considered
the safest and most effective method for controlling marine pollution.
Absorbents saturated with oil can be wrung out over oil recycling bins and
reused. Remember that materials soaked with oil are flammable. Keep them away
from heat.
================================================================== Travis Zdrazil is a successful businessman who has been part of a successful partnership since 1985. With over 10 years of business experience Travis uses his business expertise to select and supply businesses with products and devices to aid in EPA and OSHA Regulation and requirement in the areas of Storm water pollution
  • Pollution Prevention Other industrial, commercial environmental issues Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.absorbentsonline.com or feel free to contact him if you have any questions on marine pollution control products through the site. You may publish this article, but must keep the resource box ©2007 PCI Products Company. All rights reserved.

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