How an oil slick breaks up

Oil slicks begin to evaporate and come apart through a series of natural processes:

1 Lighter parts of oil 2 Turbulence and chemical 3 Emulsification, when water is

evaporate within the first dispersants can break the oil into suspended in oil, creates a more
few days; up to droplets; these have a greater viscous material that slows
two-thirds of a light surface area, which helps the oil dissipation; it can increase the amount
crude can evaporate dissipate faster of pollutant by up to four times
1
Slick 3
Wind and waves break the slick into bands
Water
2 Oil droplets
Oil dispersed
into droplets
4compounds
Eventually, water-soluble
dissolve, oil sinks
after combining with sediment
or organic matter and microbes
Oil becomes
heavier than 4 degrade the oil
Leaking oil water and sinks

Source: International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Graphic: Julie Sheer, Robert Burns and Raoul Ranoa, Los Angeles Times © 2010 MCT