AboutDavid L. Russell, PE Expertise I`m a Chemical,Civil and Environmental Engineer and have a number of projects in all phases of the environment.
I have worked in the chemical industry and am active in professional societies, and am currently on an industrial wastes committee for the Water Environment Federation, and have taught courses in remediation in the US and abroad.
I have written one book on Remediation of petroleum Contaminated Sites, and have a second book on PRACTICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT to be published by John Wiley in September, 2006. I've also written over 30 articles on various elements of environmental problems and cleanup. Most Recently, I have addressed a NATO Scientific and Techical Conference on Ecoterrorism, and have worked with the same group on remediation of sites contaminated with Chemical Warfare Agent materials and othe materials as well. . I can answer q`s about Chemical and Environmental Engineering, land development, air pollution, water pollution, soil and water cleanup, combustion, international environmental problems, industrial processes chemical processes. Civil and Environmental and Chemical Engineering. Overall, I have over 35 years of experience in this area. Note: I do not answer homework questions
Experience I love work in the third world and developing areas
because it is challenging and one can get a sense of accomplishment.
Question Hi, my friend and I are in the 12th grade and currently in the process of doing a research project for our science class on the long term effects of oil spills in the ocean. We wanted to know if there was any way we could re-create the break-down of oil in order to test the long term effects it would have on the ocean?
Answer Sure:
You will first need some salt water (try looking at the CRC Handbook of Physics and Chemistry for specifications on sea water in order to get the salt content right).
Next, you will need to get some used motor oil (your local garage)- but you don't need much.
Next a handfull or two of soil and sand to create some beach effects and give it some bacteria.
Put it in a long pan (aluminum is fine but plastic is better) about 1" deep, with soil at one end, then sand and a 1/2 inch of water. Next pour on a small amount of oil- a couple of table spoons is fine.
There's your ecosystem. Now watch what happens -- not much for a long time, even when you create waves.
Now, add some detergents- 1/4 tablespoon is fine. The detergents will break down the oils and create a greater surface area. That will help the bacteria in the soil break down the soils.
You probably should run the experiments in parallel so that you can watch what happens.
Good luck.
