(6) Slop tank - receives overflow in fixed area or is designated as such for off-grade fuel.
(7) Drip pans -- used extensively with equipment, during transfer operations, or for maintenance to
collect small spills that routinely occur.
(8) Alarms/automatic shut-offs -- signal leaks immediately. Particularly useful with underground
storage tanks; detects interstitial leaks between interior and exterior walls.
c. Improvised methods include sand bags, straw bales, dirt, or other absorbent materials. Containment
is intended to restrict the flow of the spill to prevent additional contamination and enable cleanup to be done more
d. Most field situations will include use of POL. Be prepared! At a minimum, carry shovels
(nonsparking, such as aluminum, is recommended); sorbents; and drip pans and waste containers (55-gallon drum
halves are dual purpose -- they can be used as drip pans and waste containers).
e. Though the initial cost of specialized sorbents may be higher than the cost of clay pellets, they are
much more absorbent and burn much more efficiently, resulting in less waste.
f. Contaminated soil must be removed and disposed of IAW EPA regulations. Certain areas are more
difficult than others to clean (oil can penetrate sandy areas such as beaches as much as 6 inches deeper than loamy
soil; pipelines can run through areas with limited access). Heavy equipment such as scrapers and bulldozers may
Spills on Water.
a. Studies conducted in California show that most spills occur while ships are taking on their own fuel
supply (bunkering). As a result, California requires all ships to use boom while at dock unless carrying
nonpersistent (low flash point) fuel. Boom used at dock is one preventive measure that may be (and, in some
cases, must be) used.
b. Containment on water is critical because the spill will move with the water making it difficult for the
spill to be picked up. A spill can affect hundreds of miles of coastline within days. The most frequently used
containment device is the boom. Available in different sizes and lengths, boom is placed downstream or below
the spill and prevents the oil from moving with the current. Several sets of boom are normally placed as wave
action or current strength can cause the product to escape the barriers. Boom is also used to protect the areas from
c. Time is one of the most critical factors in cleaning up an oil spill -- especially on water. As the
petroleum weathers and deteriorates, aided by wave action, the product begins to "break up." Loss of light ends
causes the product to become more viscous, forming a thick mousse.