Application of Sorbents for Oil Spill Cleanup Focusing on Natural-Based Modified Materials: A Review.

Miltiadis Zamparas,Vassilios Dracopoulos,Theophilos Ioannides,Dimitrios Tzivras

doi:10.3390/molecules25194522

Abstract

Conventional synthetic sorbents for oil spill removal are the most widely applied materials, although they are not the optimal choices from an economic and environmental point of view. The use of inexpensive, abundant, non-toxic, biodegradable, and reusable lignocellulosic materials might be an alternative to conventional sorbents, with obvious positive impact on sustainability and circular economy. The objective of this paper was to review reports on the use of natural-based adsorbing materials for the restoration of water bodies threatened by oil spills. The use of raw and modified natural sorbents as a restoration tool, their sorption capacity, along with the individual results in conditions that have been implemented, were examined in detail. Modification methods for improving the hydrophobicity of natural sorbents were also extensively highlighted. Furthermore, an attempt was made to assess the advantages and limitations of each natural sorbent since one material is unlikely to encompass all potential oil spill scenarios. Finally, an evaluation was conducted in order to outline an integrated approach based on the terms of material–environment–economy.

Highlights

Nowadays, the rising number of accidents and oil leakages has led to the continuous improvement of oil spill cleaning techniques in order to address them immediately, minimizing their disastrous effects [1,2]
The results showed that the acetylated cellulose fiber, an ultra-oleophilic material, revealed uptake capacities of 67.54, 52.65, and 42.53 g/g for crude oil, diesel oil, and vacuum pump oil, respectively
The study of the applicability of raw lignocellulosic sorbents for oil spill cleanup is driven by their abundance, inexpensiveness, non-toxicity, reusability, and biodegradability

Summary

Introduction

The rising number of accidents and oil leakages has led to the continuous improvement of oil spill cleaning techniques in order to address them immediately, minimizing their disastrous effects [1,2] This need is intensified by the fact that oil spill pollution is one of the most visible examples of water quality degradation due to human activities, affecting aquatic ecosystems worldwide [3,4]. On the 10th of September 2017, the vessel Agia Zoni II sank in the Saronic Gulf, Greece, releasing an estimated 2.500 tons of crude oil, which profoundly contaminated the coasts of Salamina and the Athens Riviera [7]. Currents and wind tend to cause an even faster distribution, leading to degradation and even the extinction of vast expanses of marine life and environment [8,9]

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Conclusion