Oil is lighter than water, that is, it has less density than water and thus, it floats over the water surface. If we have an oil spill in a river or ocean, oil floating over the water surface will stop the exchange of gases between water and the atmosphere. This gaseous exchange maintains the dissolved oxygen levels at the values comfortable for zooplanktons (aquatic animals) and phytoplanktons (aquatic plants). When this exchange is stopped by...
Oil is lighter than water, that is, it has less density than water and thus, it floats over the water surface. If we have an oil spill in a river or ocean, oil floating over the water surface will stop the exchange of gases between water and the atmosphere. This gaseous exchange maintains the dissolved oxygen levels at the values comfortable for zooplanktons (aquatic animals) and phytoplanktons (aquatic plants). When this exchange is stopped by an oil layer, the dissolved oxygen levels in water will fall over time, since oxygen consumption rate will stay the same, reaeration from atmosphere will stop. This ultimately results in death of zooplanktons and phytoplanktons. Thus, we need to remove oil from top of water surface.
There are several methods of removing oil from water surface. Filter booms can be used to remove and recover floating oil from small streams. Oil can also be skimmed off the surface, especially from the areas where it is relatively stationary. Sorbent pads can also recover the oil. Another method is the use of detergents or dispersants, which may affect the marine life.
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