Oil Spill Cleanup Using Chemically Modified Natural Fibers: Trial for Practical Application

An oil spill was simulated in a basin connected to the sea, which presents inside the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries. Two available natural fibrous materials were used after modification as sorbent materials for the treatment of oil spills. Sorption capacities of LCLA and PFLA onto crude oil were preliminarily examined in the laboratory before applying in the field. An amount of LCLA and PFLA were wrapped in a polyester circular pad. Cylindrical-shaped acrylic vessels, with perforated sides, were fixed with cork sheets to keep them floating on the water surface. 1.1 mm thickness of light crude oil was spilled inside the acrylic vessels. LCLA and PFLA containing pads were then dipped into an oil layer floating on seawater. Pads were laid into the interface between oil and seawater for 30 min (one pad per vessel). Sorption capacities were measured as 11.0 and 9.8 as gram oil per gram of sorbent for LCLA and PFLA, respectively. These results were close to the sorption capacities produced in the laboratory using the same oil and sorbent materials indicating that the tested sorbents have a cheerful application in the real field.