When an oil spill occurs in coastal waters of the United States, responders have several options for managing the environmental impacts of the spill, including the use of chemical dispersants and well containment. Dispersants do not reduce the total amount of oil entering the environment; rather, they help break down oil into small droplets that can more easily mix into the water below the surface, increasing biodegradation rates and potentially decreasing the impact of spilled oil on the shoreline. However, because chemical dispersants promote the movement of oil below the surface, their use exposes the underwater environment and the ocean floor to more of the spilled oil, where it may also have harmful effects. This book examines and assesses new spill response capabiities and technologies, with a focus on dispersants and well containment.
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