Oil and Natural Gas

Oil and Natural Gas

• Oil– Formed from small, dead ocean organisms that

sink to the bottom and get covered by layers of rock and dirt

• Natural Gas– Methane– Cleanest of fossil fuels

HOW ARE OIL AND GAS MADE ???

Uses for Oil and Natural Gas

• Transportation (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel)• Asphalt• Heating• Cooking• Plastics• Lubricants

Oil Spills

• Accidental release of liquid petroleum (oil) into the environment

• Examples:– Oil ship wrecks– Leak in oil pipeline

Methods for Cleaning an Oil Spill

• Bioremediation: using microorganisms or biological agents to break down or remove oil

• Dredging: some oils sink, cleaning below the surface of the water

• Skimming: cleaning oil off of surface• Dispersion: materials, such as some detergents can

disperse oil into small clusters that may be easier to remove than larger areas

• Burning: Can eliminate large amount of oil in the water, but causes air pollutions

Materials• Rubber bands • Paper towel • String • Cotton ball • Plastic wrap• Popsicle sticks• Toothpick • Balloons • Suction tube • Spoon • Soap • Sand• Windex• Kitty litter