It's for my science fair projest, I'm using sponges and cotton wads, anything else I can use??
2007-01-28 08:45:42 · 4 answers · asked by i love armando 1 in Environment
Remember that oil has a tendency to spread out in water. In large oil spills, barriers are used to contain the spill (called booms). ALso in large spills chemicals are used to breakdown the oil into the water - without harmful environemental side effects. A last resort is burning the oil in the water but that casues environmentally toxic gases to be released into the air. SO try to make a barrier to contain your oil first so that it is easier to clean up.
Sponges will absorb the water along with the oil and they may sink after time, the same with the cotton - plus you have to use a A LOT of cotton. Polyester is a good oil absorber and be be found inside pillows (the stuffing). It doesnt absorb a lot of water - ususally just the oil. It is your best bet! GOOD LUCK!
2007-01-28 09:24:12 · answer #1 · answered by Fox_747 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Human hair works very sturdy. There are those that make hair crammed internet bags for cleansing up oil spills on water. The oil-soaked hair can then be spawned with mushroom mycellium, which breaks down ninety 8+% of the oil. The mushrooms that improve are even edible!
2016-11-01 12:55:40 · answer #2 · answered by bason 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my son poured valve oil into the fish tank, I used newspaper strips to soak the oil up. I dragged them across the surface, then picked them up. It took several, but they never soaked up any water, only oil.
2007-01-28 08:51:24 · answer #3 · answered by Heather 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
cotton seed.
2007-01-28 11:59:10 · answer #4 · answered by Christmas Light Guy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋