Patent ID: 7128831

Claim:
A pollutant containment system comprising: a first layer ( 14 , 60 ); containment means ( 16 ) for receiving and retaining water and/or oil passing through said layer ( 14 ); and channelling means ( 22 ) for directing said water and/or oil permeating through said layer towards said containment means ( 16 ), said channelling means having a lower region comprising an opening formed by a lower edge ( 24 ); wherein said layer is formed of a material having interstices providing a plurality of winding paths throughout said layer ( 14 , 60 ) thereby to cause said water and/or oil to permeate slowly through said layer at a flow rate below which emulsification of water and oil takes place, the surface of said material serving as a plurality of active surfaces for the retention of oil smeared thereon and wherein said lower end region extends below a mouth of the containment means ( 16 ) by an amount sufficient to allow water to be retained by the containment means ( 16 ) at a level above the lower edge.