Oil Spill Remediation: Colloid Chemistry-Based Principles and Solutions

In April of 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico became the largest accidental release of oil into marine waters in history, resulting in severe environmental, health and economic consequences. With massive cleanup and relief efforts that followed, the event led many science and engineering communities to apply their expertise and knowledge towards oil spill remediation advancements. Oil Spill Remediation: Colloid Chemistry-Based Principles and Solutions is based on a special symposium run by leading scientists, engineers and policy makers at the 2011 annual SME meeting, dedicated to advancing oil spill remediation technologies.

Divided into three sections, Oil Spill Remediation: Colloid Chemistry-Based Principles and Solutions begins with a science-based overview of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Next, it discusses:

• Oil spill remediation from the perspective of physicochemical and colloidal science
• Current regulations on toxic impact of oil and dispersants, and the available environment assessment tools and resources for the remediation of oil spills
• Current research on dispersants, colloids, and other options for remediation

Each chapter addresses deeper scientific problems associated with current technologies and highlights the urgent need for better remediation methods. With contributions from Lisa Jackson (former Administrator of the EPA), leading researchers, scientists, engineers and policy makers, this monograph is valuable for all experts in, but not limited to, the chemical, physical-chemical, geological and environmental fields, endeavoring to understand, design and develop new and efficient remediation techniques.