Research led by Leigh Stevens of the Cawthron Institute has been looking at how chemical dispersants can be used to reduce the impact of oil spills. The best way to reduce the impact of an oil spill is to stop the oil reaching the shore. One way of doing this is to use physical barriers known as booms to contain or deflect oil so it can be collected. However it is not always easy to get the right equipment and trained staff to spill sites.
Weather conditions can also limit the effectiveness of using physical barriers.
The research, which is an investment of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, has looked at using alternatives to physical methods such as chemicals which disperse and dilute the oil into the sea. With any use of chemicals, there is a natural concern that they may cause additional harm to the environment. Modern oil spill dispersants have very low toxicity, most are less toxic than household dishwashing detergents. Almost without exception the environment will recover more quickly if oil can be dispersed into the sea before it reaches a shoreline. The researchers have been working closely with the Maritime Safety Authority to produce guidelines to help people dealing with an oil spill decide whether or not chemical dispersants should be used.