The internet is abuzz with news of organic oil spill cleanup methods. Some of the most unorthodox are hair, fur, and hay. It seems these materials are all oil absorbing. Mushrooms help in another way. Oil executives are trying to plug the hole. Cleaning up the existing spill with one or all of these go green solutions, should be a companion effort. Oil eating bacteria is another possibility. Are there really organisms that consume oil? If so, why are we not using them already? It’s time to take action with organic hair, fur, hay, mushrooms or oil eating bacteria.
Hair
Hair is very oil absorbent. Think of how oily your hair gets when not washed regularly. Hair is used frequently for oil spill cleanup. Salons across the nation are collecting hair from haircuts to clean up oil spills. A group known as Matter of Trust is championing this movement. Go here for details and instructions for donating your hair. Make sure the hair is clean and free of chemicals before donating.
Fur
Don’t forget, Fido and Fluffy have haircuts too. Pet fur is every bit as effective as human hair when it comes to organic oil spill cleanup. Groomers, sheep and alpaca ranchers and pet owners can donate animal hair as an oil spill cleanup solution. Matter of Trust does not discriminate when it comes to collecting hair used for oil booms. The hair is simply stuffed into nylon stockings to make oil booms.
Hay
Two contractors from Florida have come up with this organic oil spill cleanup idea. Hay will absorb oil. The hay can then be scooped up to leave water clean. In addition, hay can be burned in refuse to energy plants. This eco-friendly idea has not been tested on actual oil spills yet. See it demonstrated on a small scale here.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are delicious and nutritious. They can also be used as an organic oil spill cleanup solution. Mushrooms are used in conjunction with hair oil booms. The hair filled stockings are set out on the water surface to absorb oil. Mushrooms use the hair and oil filled stockings to grow. The by-product? Organic compost, completely free of oil, due to the mushroom’s biological growth processes.
Oil Eating Bacteria
It has been discovered that there are natural forces that can clean up oil spills in certain areas. It seems there are organisms that can biodegrade oil. In other words, the earth can clean itself in some cases. With this knowledge, we may be able to accelerate the process for faster results. This Science Daily article gives the scientific details on oil eating bacteria.
Sources:
http://www.uas.coop/node/1011
http://www.californiagreensolutions.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl.h,content=1444
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/05/050517063708.htm
http://www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html
