How does detergent sprayed on an oil spill break up the spill?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the mechanism by which detergent helps disperse oil spills. It touches on the chemical properties of detergents and their interaction with oil and water.
Answer
Detergent disperses oil into small droplets that microbes can break down more easily.
Detergent breaks up oil slicks into small droplets, increasing the surface area-to-volume ratio. This makes it easier for microbes to break down the oil through biodegradation.
Answer for screen readers
Detergent breaks up oil slicks into small droplets, increasing the surface area-to-volume ratio. This makes it easier for microbes to break down the oil through biodegradation.
More Information
Dispersants do not eliminate the oil but accelerate its natural breakdown. There is some debate about how ecologically sound it is to use dispersants. Some argue it is better to leave the oil as one big slick, which is easier to contain.
Tips
It is important to remember that dispersants do not remove the oil from the environment. They only change its form and location.
Sources
- What have we learned about using dispersants during the next big oil spill? - Office of Response and Restoration - response.restoration.noaa.gov
- Oil dispersant - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- 5. How Do Dispersants Work? - Office of Response and Restoration - response.restoration.noaa.gov
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