Ubin Oil Spill - Cleaning Up The Mess

12:51 AM  , , , , , ,  

Part 5 - Cleaning Up The Mess

Pulau Ubin
East, Singapore
May 2010

It is generally agreed that mangroves are particularly sensitive to oil and that they are priority areas for protection. The main protection options are:
  • Mechanical recovery offshore from the mangroves;
  • Dispersal (using oil spill dispersants) offshore; and
  • Booming of mangrove shorelines and inlets.
Oil-containing booms surrounded the inlets to Chek Jawa...


Speed boats shuttle between Changi Point Ferry Terminal and the booms...


The NParks officers knew the area well.
They each led a team to the affected areas...

If oil enters mangroves, the main clean-up options are:
  • Booming and skimming of oil on the water surface in mangrove creeks;
  • Pumping of bulk oil from the sediment surface, depressions and channels;
  • Water flushing of free oil from sediment surface and mangroves, into areas where it may be collected; and
  • Use of absorbent materials, with subsequent collection and disposal.
Bagging the scooped-up sand and leaves.
The workers also had to clear up the leftovers from yesterday's clean-up...


A sticky brown residue remains after the chemical dispersant spray dried up...

Bagging the trash in more resistant sacks to prevent leakage...


Some moments of frustration as a miscommunication occurred...

There were thousands of leaves and twigs along the shores.
All these had to be swept up and cleared...


Taking a much-needed break at half-time...