Science class
Oil spills from a tanker can have disastrous effects on the surrounding environment. Since oil residue does not naturally break down in the water, it can cover plants and animals such as fish and ducks and cause mass die-offs. There are several things that can be done to clean up an oil spill, including collecting the oil and destroying the oil with chemicals or fire.
Oil Spill on the Water
Oil and water are incompatible and will not mix together. Demonstrate how oil spreads across the water and may move with water currents and the wind. For the following two experiments you will need two glass bowls, water, vegetable oil, cocoa powder, several bird feathers, and a de-greasing dish detergent.
Mix together the oil and cocoa powder so that the color resembles crude oil. Add cool water to the other bowl, and pour the oil mixture into the bowl with water. You should notice how the oil spreads across the surface of the water. Gently tip the bowl from side to side and notice that the oil moves with the water. When you blow on the surface of the water, you should notice that the oil moves with the movement. This shows how oil spilled in the ocean can move from place to place and may not stay stationary in areas with a lot of water movement.
Cleaning Bird Feathers
Demonstrate how oil can contaminate the feathers of birds that may land on the water. Dip some gathered feathers into the oil spill bowl and notice how the oil sticks to the feathers. Explain that when a bird tries to clean itself, it may ingest the oil and become sick. Explain that birds exposed to oil frequently become less waterproof and cannot regulate their body temperatures as well. Only humans can adequately clean the oil off the birds.
Experiment with ways to clean off oil by washing the bird feathers in cool water, hot water, and hot water with a de-greasing dish detergent. Determine which method works best, and note any precautions you would have to take while working with live animals. Your test results should indicate that hot water with detergent will clean the oil off feathers best. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggests that live birds will need to be washed in slightly warm water instead in order to help regulate their body temperature.
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