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Sunlight Affects Oil Spills

June 16, 2018

A recent study by WHOI scientists Collin Ward and Chris Reddy showed that sunlight plays a critical and previously overlooked role in oil spills. Light energy rapidly alters the chemistry of oil floating atop the ocean—which could dramatically change how responders use dispersants to clean up spills. Dispersants contain detergents (surfactants), which break oil into small droplets that can disperse in the ocean. They also contain an organic solvent that helps surfactants mix with both oil and water. The solvent is not as effective on photo-oxidized oil, so dispersants are less effective on oil that has floated on the sea surface for a few days, especially during sunny weather. (Illustration by Natalie Renier, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)