Water molecules are made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The hydrogen and oxygen have different electronegativities, and because this difference is between 0.5 and 1.6--and because water molecules are asymmetrical--water is polar. This means that water molecules have a strong attraction to each other due to hydrogen bonding. Oil molecules, on the other hand. are non polar and held together by the relatively weak London dispersion force. These differences in polarity and intermolecular forces keep the oil and water from mixing, and cause oil slicks on the water surface. These oil slicks can be very harmful to the ecosystems in which they occur.
Because of this, chemical dispersants are often considered as options to help clear oil spills. Dispersants break up oil spills by containing molecules that have both polar and non-polar ends, attracting both the water and the oil molecules, breaking up the slick and forming the oil into small droplets, allowing it to both spread out easier and get broken down easier by bacteria in the water.
However, the chemical dispersants that we are currently using can have negative effects on human health and underwater ecosystems. In this article from the CBC, John Davis from No More Rigs suggests that Bill C-22 would streamline the process of using chemicals to break up oil spills. The article also stated that, while oil and dispersant were equally toxic while separate, their toxicity increased by a factor of 52 when combined. It also raised that Environment Canada says both that Corexit 9500A is 27 times safer than dish soap, but also poses a "high and immediate human health risk," seemingly contradicting itself.
There are, however, other ways to clean up oil spills. If caught early the surface of the water can be skimmed, and the surface oil removed. Also, if left for long enough, the wind and waves will naturally disperse the oil. Another common method of cleaning up oil spills is adding bacteria to the water that eat the oil, speeding up the natural biodegration.
There are, however, other ways to clean up oil spills. If caught early the surface of the water can be skimmed, and the surface oil removed. Also, if left for long enough, the wind and waves will naturally disperse the oil. Another common method of cleaning up oil spills is adding bacteria to the water that eat the oil, speeding up the natural biodegration.
So, are chemical dispersants a good choice for cleaning up oil spills?
I believe there are more effective and environmentally friendly ways to clean up oil spills then to use chemical dispersants. Despite the fact that these dispersants will help to get the job done, the risks of using them then having to deal with the aftermath of their use seems unreasonable. Harming ecosystems and introducing chemicals to marine organisms whom we also consume poses a greater risk to human health. Instead, by introducing biological agents to help break down the contents of the spill, it will inevitably hasten biodegradation and help to deal with the disaster in a more environmentally friendly way. Considering the negative impacts an oil spill has on our environment and those who inhabit it, natural and eco-friendly methods of clean-up should be sought out in every case!
ReplyDeleteAn oil spill is a problem that we cannot avoid, so we should focus on finding the most safe and efficient ways to deal with the problem. Chemical Dispersants is definitely not the right approach. Even though the chemicals will break down the oil fairly quickly, the effects on the environment are far too dangerous to continue using them. The risk that the chemicals pose on humans, makes using them seem ridiculous and unnecessary. As you stated in your conclusion, there are environmentally friendly ways to remove the oil from the water. Recently, there has been a decline in the amount of oil spills, however if one is to occur, we should try to effectively use a more natural way over chemicals.
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