RIASSUNTO
CLEAN-UP OF OIL POLLUTION AT SEA AND ON COASTS Abstract Research and development by industry, government and other organisations initially produced oil spill clean-up techniques of limited usefulness. They were often accompanied by undesirable ecological side- effects. Sustained efforts have more recently made feasible the task of containing, collecting and retriev- ing oil spills under a wide variety of circumstances and conditions. Although these developments have not made other methods of pollution abatement redund- ant, they have relegated them to a secondary role. With proper contingency planning and using the described methods, equipment and materials, clean-up operations may now be undertaken with confidence of success while minimising environmental damage. Résumé Les premières méthodes de nettoyage de déverse- ments pétroliers en mer mises au point par l'industrie, le gouvernement et d'autres organismes sont d'une utilité limitée et s'accompagnent souvent d'effets écologiques néfastes. Des efforts soutenus récents ont permis d'obtenir dans un grand nombre de circon- stances le confinement, la collecte et la récupération de déversements pétroliers. Ces progrès ont relégué au second plan les premières méthodes de lutte qui toutefois ne font pas double emploi. L'élaboration d'un programme approprié et l'utilisation des méthodes, équipements et matériaux décrits dans cette communication, permettent maintenant de mener à bien les opérations de nettoyage en minimisant les dommages causés à l'environnement. 1.
INTRODUCTION
Although the purpose of this paper is to describe the clean-up of oil pollution once it has occurred, it is worthwhile stating the obvious at the outset. As little oil as possible should be permitted to enter the sea. Great strides have been made, both legally and technically, in limiting deliberate discharge of oil to the oceans of the world. Similarly, through research and development and close co-operation between governments and companies involved with explora- tion, production, refining and transportation of oil, extensive facilities exist to limit the amount of oil which is lost following an accident. Once oil has been spilt, from whatever source, speed of response is of prime importance. Not only do the necessary equipment, materials and trained man- power have to be available, but the whole operation also has to be fully co-ordinated. This requires the existence of a detailed contingency plan. One can by L. R. BEYNON, Manager, VIKOMA Project, The British Petroleum Company Limited, Research Centre, Chertsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, U.K. never fully anticipate, however, all the conditions and difficulties which will be encountered, and in the final reckoning there is no substitute for intelligent im- provisation by experienced personnel. 2. CLEAN-UP METHODS FOR FLOATING OIL In theory, at least, there are a number of methods available for deal