None of us has been immune to the news of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that has dumped nearly 200,000 gallons of oil each day into our waters.  Officials are saying that this could eclipse the worst oil spill in U.S. history, which happened in 1989 when a Exxon Valdez tanker leaked 11 million gallons in Alaska's Prince William Sound.  Locals complained all day long of a think oily smell in the air, many calling for air quality testing and even cases of nausea or headaches.

The question on everybody's mind is: How will this problem get fixed? How will we clean our waters?  Make sure our air is breathable?  What the long terms affects will be? Luckily we have help in the form of scientists, the federal government, BP, and other local organizations to step in.  First responders have several tech tools at their disposable to clean up this massive oil spill.

Nanosponses

Nanosponses - Image Courtesty of http://www.nature.com/

Nanosponges are made of tiny metal nanowire mesh that can be used like a sponge to soak up any oil in water.  The nanowires are 20 nanometers in diameter and made up of potassium manganese oxide.  The technology is a paper-like material that can sit on top of water, without getting wet, and still absorb 20 times its weight in oil.  Developed by researchers at MIT, these nanosponses haven't been tested outside the lab but now would be a good time than ever to put this technology to practical use.

Booms, Skimmers & Mechanical Skimmers

Somewhat of a low-tech method, response teams can use physical containment methods such as floating tubes called booms and skimmers that will slurp up mixed oil and water from the sea surface.

Mechanical skimmers are somewhat of new technology that have a larger surface area and grooves that can scoop up more oil than traditional skimmers.

Using Dispersants

Example of Dispersants - Image Courtesty of http://www.soltexinc.com/

Dispersants are surface active chemicals, usually called surfactants. The surfactant is simple: when put in the water it will break up the oil slick into smaller droplets.  These smaller droplets then form into a water column which will eventual be broken down by oceanic microbes.

Burning The Oil

That's right: strike a match and light the oil on fire. The coast guard will burn large patches of the oil spill in hopes that they can prevent it from reaching the shore.  This can be effective in large calm waters but is not used in shallow areas or where a lot of marine life is present.

Trajectory Analysis Planner

Trajectory analysis planner (TAP) is not an oil cleaning solution but software that can be used to predicate where oil will go after a spill.  The TAP system can tell officials how a spill will affect local shorelines, how quickly a response team must be launched, where the spill is most likely to spread, and how much response is necessary to deal with the spill.

What's Being Done Now?

It seems like time is of the essence and first responders are acting now to clean up the spill.  So far, the U.S. coast guard has said that they will burn large patches of oil slick to help with the problem.  BP is also considering using chemical dispersants as apart of the clean up.  Another concern is sealing a pipe which has been the main cause of the leak.  Underwater robots are trying to activate a device known as a blowout preventer designed to shut off a well in the event of a sudden pressure release.  Hopefully whatever technology is used, officials can do it quickly and effectively to minimize whatever damage possible