ls. Dispersents and gelling agents are most useful in helping to keep oil from reaching shorelines and other sensitive habitats.The third response technique is physical methods. They are used to clean up shorelines. Natural processes such as evaporations, oxidation, and biodegradation can begin the clean up process, but are usually too slow to help the environment recover properly. Physical methods, such as wiping with sorbent materials, pressure washing, and raking and bulldozing can be used to assist these natural processes.The fourth and final technique is scare tactics. They are used to protect birds and animals by keeping them away from oil spill areas. Devices such as propane scarecans, floating dummies, and helium-filled balloons are often used, particularly to keep away birds. (2) Location is an important factor when it comes to clean up. Different factors affect the ability to contain and clean up an oil spill. Standing water such as marshes or swamps with little water movement are likely to incur more severe impacts than flowing water because spilled oil tends to “pool” in the water and can remain there for long periods of time. In calm water conditions, the affected habitat may take years to restore. Flowing water is less impacted by oil spills than standing water because the currents provide a natural cleaning mechanism. (3)There are also positive effects to oil spills. When there is a spill workers are needed to help with the clean up effort. This in turn provides jobs for people. Due to the amount of people needed to clean up the spill, the surrounding community can bring in large sums of money for the local hotels and restaurants. The workers that come into the area utilize these facilities.A negative effect of an oil spill is the Watermen's loss of employment. With an oil spill closing down the waterways and boat ramps they lose money. They are not able to go out and fish, or do boat rentals and...
