6th Grade - Oil Spill Research  

Oil Spill Lab Background Information

Millions of barrels of oil are shipped in seagoing vessels such as supertankers. Incidents relating to spillage and ultimately the contamination of water ecosystems have periodically occurred over the last few centuries. When an unnatural catastrophe like this occurs, it often proves detrimental to plant and animal life.

We have developed several techniques for cleaning up oil spills. For instance, chemicals are often used to break down oil molecules. Also, since oil is less dense than water and floats on the surface, skimming and vacuuming apparatus are utilized. In the evident of a widespread oil spill, we have to be prepared to clean every stone along an oil-covered shore. It is not uncommon at such times of disaster for members of animal protection organizations to gather hurt and for contaminated animals, such as birds and sea otters, to help them move and eat. Unfortunately, large numbers of animals perish during the disasters such as this. Gills of fish get clogged, obstructing the flow of dissolved oxygen necessary for their survival. Sunlight is blocked, and green plankton and plants requiring this energy for photosynthesis die. As a result, the food supply for many other consumers along the food chain is reduced. (Cross, William K.)

Final facts:

- most spills from tankers result from routine operations such as loading, discharging and bunkering which normally occur in ports or at oil terminals.

- the majority of these operational spills are small, with some 93% involving quantities of less than 7 tons.

- accidents involving collisions and grounding generally give rise to much larger spills, with a fifth involving quantities in excess of 700 tons.

 Investigating Oil Spills Lab Worksheet

 1. Write two sentences about what happens after the water-oil mix is shaken

to produce waves or currents (2 pt). 

2. Hypothesize the results that will occur with each clean-up method (l pt. each).

Paper towel -

Fabric -

Coffee filter –

String –

Sponge -

Paper- 

Detergent -

3. What are the results of each clean-up method (1 pt. each)?

Paper towel –

Fabric –

Coffee Filter –

String – 

Sponge –

Paper-

Detergent-

4. Which method worked best (2 pts)?

Which method is the most cost effective  method?

5. Name two other materials that may be used to clean up the oil. ( 2 pts)

Earth Science - Answer the following questions (write each question and your answer in a word document):

1) What are the three most familiar types of petroleum? (Use the Print Gale Encyclopedia of Science or Gale World of Earth Science resources)

2) What are important uses of petroleum (crude oil)? (Use World Book Advanced Online)

3) Most Geologists believe petroleum deposits developed from what? (Use World Book Advanced Online)

4) How do companies find and recover petroleum (crude oil), explain? (Use World Book Advanced Online)

5) What are some of the environmental problems associated with petroleum (crude oil)? (Use World Book Advanced Online)

6) Briefly describe the problem with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. (Use Science World 9/27/2010)

7) Who is affected by an oil spill? (Use Science World 9/27/2010)

8) What is the impact of oil spills on the environment? (Use Science World 9/27/2010)

9) What are ways/methods that oil spills have been cleaned up? (Use Science World 9/27/2010)

10) Is the oil really gone after cleanup measures are used? (Use Science World 9/27/2010)

Finally, please complete a works cited page for the above three resources (use the libguides works cited tab for help).

Spanish/French - You will be conducting research to compare various oil spills.

You will take the role of an experienced news reporter with a background in environmental issues (specifically oil spills - thanks to your amazing science class in 6th Grade). Your new assignment is to write an article comparing the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to one of the following:

Spanish students - Ixtoc I Oil Spill. Location = Bay of Campeche, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico. Date = June 3, 1979 - March 23, 1980.

French students - Amoco Cadiz Oil Spill. Location = Portsail, France. Date = March 16, 1978.

Focus your research on:

• Similarities between the two oil spills.
• Differences between the two oil spills.
• Finally, give your opinion on the cleanup. Was it effective? Use your prior Science research and lab activity experience to enhance your explanation.

Use ProQuest Historical Newspapers (Graphical) to research the Ixtoc or Amoco Cadiz oil spills. Please add your selected article to your Science works cited. Write your news article using MS Word, paste your completed article in the annotation field for the newspaper article citation.