In this activity you will try several ways to clean up an oil spill. These ways are similar to the ones used by clean-up crews in real life spills. Although oil spills do not happen in all areas, it's good to know how hard it is to clean one up.

Materials

1. One large bowl
2. One measuring cup
3. Water
4. Cooking oil
5. Different dishwashing detergents
6. Paper towels or a piece of cloth
7. Sponges
8. String

Procedure

1. Fill half of the bowl with water.
2. Measure 1/4 cup of oil and pour into the bowl of water.
3. Gently shake the bowl to create "waves". Did the oil and the water mix?
4. Now try to clean up the oil using: Paper towel or cloth.
5. Use string to make a border around the oil and try to drag the oil to one side of the bowl.
6. Use the sponge to try to soak up the oil.
7. Try to clean up the oil with each kind of detergent.

What's Going On?

Oil is one of the most common pollutants in our water. You have probably heard of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. It happened at Prince William Sound in Alaska. Tragedies like this do not happen often, though. Most of the oil in oceans gets there when oil tanks on ships are rinsed while at sea.

From: Environmental Kids Club - http://www.epa.gov/kids/