Oil spills happen many times by accident. But, when that takes place, somebody must act fast to contain them so that they don’t spread and cause more harm to the environment. That’s especially true when the spills occur on the water. We should always be prepared with the right oil spill containment tools such as an environmental boom to help save money on cleanup costs and potential fines for environmental damage.
There are probably many questions running through your mind now, especially if you’re hearing the word ‘boom’ for the first time. If so, we’ve got solutions for some of those questions below.
What’s an Environmental Boom?
An environmental boom is a special oil containment tool used in controlling the spread of oil to lower the chance of possible pollution on water, shorelines, or other areas. It’s a temporary floating barrier designed to contain oil spills.
Environmental booms (containment booms) reduce the risk of oil spreading further into shorelines or water supplies and causing negative effects on living things and the environment. They not only help in reducing the potential pollution of water and other resources but also enhance the recovery process.
How does a Containment Boom Work?
A containment boom makes spills recovery easier by concentrating oil in thicker surface layers. Generally, oil has some buoyant properties as it’s less dense than water and when it spills on the water it will float on the surface instead of sinking to the bottom. That makes a containment boom very effective at barricading the oil in a thick layer on the surface of the water.
Types of Containment Booms
There are about four types of booms and one common type is the oil-only absorbent boom. Oil-only containment booms are good for creating a physical barrier around oil spills. They help reduce the overall affected area and lower the environmental impact. These booms also reduce the environmental impact and the time spent on cleaning up spills and in the restoration process.
These types of booms absorb oil-based fluids only, making them suitable for quick and effective confinement of spills even on land and other resources. With them, it’s easier to surround harmful oil spills and absorb the oil at the same time.
Final Words
Now that you know what an environmental boom is and what it’s used for, you may be wondering who pays for oil spill cleanup. Well, the parties that are responsible for the transportation, storage, and usage of oil are the ones liable for the cost. The liability constitutes the cost of containment and cleanup and repair of any damage caused from the spills due to their own actions.
For more information visit our website!