Search the Internet to fi nd out how U.S. government agencies clean oil spills. Write a paragraph explaining the steps these agencies take when a large oil spill is discovered off U.S. coasts.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Several sites have information, but the best site is the offi cial Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) site. The EPA is responsible for responding to oil spills that occur in and around
inland waters of the United States with the U.S. Coast Guard as the lead response agency for
spills in coastal water and deepwater ports. When a spill occurs, several actions occur: (1)
Any birds or mammals covered with oil are professionally washed and cared for until ready
to be released. Devices are set up to frighten these animals away from the polluted site
until it is suffi ciently clean; (2) booms, barriers, skimmers, and sorbent materials are
brought to contain the spill and to remove the oil mechanically; (3) chemicals, such as
special detergents (dispersing agents) and agents that cause gelling, are used to break
up and solidify the oil so it does not reach shorelines; and (4) biological agents, such as
bacteria that “eat” oil, are dispersed to accelerate what the microorganisms present at
the spill site are doing. This is known as biodegradation. If the oil reaches the shoreline,
natural processes such as sunlight oxidation and biodegradation start the process. To
accelerate the process, physical methods such as wiping with sorbent materials, pressure
washing with seawater, raking, and bulldozing are done.