Even so, as the oil begins reaching the coastline, the damage caused to marshes, wetlands, beaches, etc will escalate and make the aforementioned remedies obsolete. What is needed are hydrophobic materials that will absorb oil, but not water. These materials should also encapsulate the oil, so that it can be easily picked up, or if left, present no threat to the environment. Although many of the proposed solutions are noble, most have limited ability to “sequester” the oil for extended periods. Most simply use surface tension, which allows the oil to “stick” to the material, leaving it available to be transferred to whatever may contact it.

There are materials, such as our CleanB-sorbent, that readily absorb hydrocarbons, not water. Due to the incredible amount of surface area contained in the material, it is capable of absorbing up to six times its weight. CleanB-sorbent is an all natural product and poses no threat to vegetation or wildlife, and prevents the oil from leaching out, even when pressed. In other applications, it is used to clean up spills on land and some inland waterways. For these applications, the material is either collected and land farmed or used to treat the spill in situ (in place). When done properly, the TPH will begin declining within two weeks or so and then begin a rapid decline over the next 90-120 days as the indigenous microbes consume the material. Vegetation is easily grown in treated areas after clean up.

From Google Crisis Response:
“On April 20, 2010, an explosion occurred on the semi-submersible offshore drilling rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 rig workers and injuring 17 others. On April 24, it was found that the wellhead was damaged and was leaking oil into the Gulf. This significant spill poses a serious threat to wildlife, affecting as many as 400 species along the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. ”

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Official Response Updates

Gulf of Mexico Response – British Petroleum

Gulf of Mexico Response – Deepwater Horizon

News Coverage

Google Crisis Response – Gulf of Mexico

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Timeline – Telegraph (UK)

White House: BP Gulf Coast Oil Slick Worst Spill in US History – NY Daily News

UPDATE: BP: Vessels In Place For ‘Top Kill;’ Testing To Start – Wall Street Journal

Heat on White House to Do More About Gulf Spill – Fox News

Louisiana Fishermen Helping in Spill Cleanup Report Getting Sick – Fox News

Video

Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen