Oil Spill Clean up Activity

Oil Spill Clean up Activity

Purpose

To demonstrate a way to clean up an oil slick.

Materials

clear drinking glass
tap water
24" pieces of string
1/4 cup of cooking oil
small bowl
6 to 8 metal washers
empty prescription medicine container (large enough for the washers to fit in)

Procedure

1. Fill the glass 3/4 full with water

2. Place 2 or 3 washers in the container and tie the ends of the string around the top of the container. Tie the other ends of the strings together to form a loop.

3. Place the container in the glass of water and support it upright by holding the loop.

4. Continue to add washers until the top of the string container is just below the surface of the water. Remove the container and pour out any water, but keep the washers inside.

5. Pour the oil into the glass, then slowly lower the weighted container into the glass.

6. With the loop, support the container so the top is just below the surface of the oil.

7. When the container fills, raise it, pour its liquid contents into the bowl, and observe the liquid.

8. Continue to fill the container until all the oil is removed from the glass.

Results

The first few collections are pure oil, then the mixture of oil and water is collected.

Why

In case of an oil spill the oil must be cleaned from the water in order to preserve the wildlife and water quality. Because the oil floats and does not mix with seawater, it can be retrieved. One method of retrieval is very similar to this method. An oil drum is weighted so that its top is just beneath the surface. The floating oil flows into the drum and is then pumped out.

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