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.

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