] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [V] [W] Absorption Any process that causes one substance to penetrate the inside of another substance. In the case of oil spill cl [..]

The process that causes one substance to be attracted to and stick to the surface of another substance, without actually penetrating its surface.

A brown to black residue formed from weathered petroleum products, consisting chiefly of a mixture of hydrocarbons, varies in texture from hard and brittle to plastic.

Carbon-hydrogen compound characterized by the presence of at least one six-carbon ring structure.

Water taken on board a ship to control trim, list, draught, stability or stresses of a ship. Barrel A unit of volume equal to 42 U.S. gallons or 159 litres at 60 degrees F, often used to measure volum [..]

A naturally occurring clay, which is often a major constituent of drilling muds.

The bilge is the parts of a vessel between the lower-most floorboards and the bottom, where oil-contaminated wastewater - bilge water - drains until further processing. Bilge water is produced when th [..]

The adding of microorganisms to the existing native oil-degrading population ( also known as seeding, fertilization, biostimulation or bioremediation).

The breakdown of organic compounds by microorganisms.

Nutrients, enzymes, or microorganisms that increase the rate at which natural biodegradation occurs.