Oil spill cleanups: finding the right chemistry

The video discusses the challenges of cleaning up oil spills, focusing on the Deepwater Horizon incident. Analytical chemist Matthew Tarr studies how crude oil breaks down in seawater when exposed to sunlight. His research shows that sunlight plays a crucial role in oil degradation, but can also negatively affect oil consistency, making it harder for microorganisms to break it down. Chemical dispersants, used during the spill, help spread oil for natural degradation but have toxicity concerns. Tarr's findings aim to improve cleanup models and foresee new technologies using targeted light for faster oil degradation.

What is the primary focus of Matthew Tarr's research?

• The impact of oil spills on marine life

• How crude oil breaks down in seawater when exposed to sunlight

• The economic effects of oil spills

• The history of oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico

How does sunlight affect oil in seawater?

• It has no effect on the oil

• It makes the oil evaporate quickly

• It causes the oil to freeze

• It oxygenates the oil, aiding in its degradation

What happens to oil after prolonged exposure to sunlight?

• It transforms into a sludge with a consistency similar to peanut butter

• It becomes more fluid

• It turns into a gas

• It becomes completely transparent

What is one way to prevent oil from clumping after a spill?

• Freezing the oil

• Adding more oil to dilute it

• Using chemical dispersants

• Heating the oil

What future technology does Tarr foresee for oil spill cleanup?

• Building barriers to contain oil

• Using targeted light to degrade oil more rapidly

• Using sound waves to break down oil

• Using robots to collect oil