At several places in Sweden there is a continuous oil-spill into ponds and lakes from engine sheds. During 1969–1971 new methods and materials were tested in order to reconstruct oil-contaminated water and sediment. Thus the bottom of a lake was harrowed with compressed air and the oil brought to the water surface where it was adsorbed. A new type of adsorption material, adsorbent blower, booms, incinerators and technique were designed.

The result of the reconstruction was the following:
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In February 1972, 600 tons of diesel oil was spilled in a river in the northern part of Sweden. Downstream from the spill is a system of hydroelectric power stations, fisheries and freshwater-intakes. Thus there was a real chance to destroy domestic water. The mean temperature during January and February was between −25°C to −35°C and the river was partly frozen.

Materials and methods were thus tested during hard conditions. The restoration was divided into using standard methods and developing new methods and materials.

Thus:

  • a pontoon bridge was built across the river

  • from the bridge adsorption material, Saneringsull, was blown out over the floating oil

  • oil-contaminated ice and snow was burned together with Saneringsull

  • the adsorbed oil was allowed to be frozen in the ice

  • the ice containing oil and adsorption materials was lifted to an ice-tip, later on the ice was melted

  • oil on free water surface was adsorbed. The adsorption material was spread from aircraft and boats

  • later on the adsorption material was transported to the shore and burned in incinerators

  • in order to protect the downstream area three types of booms were designed, no conventional boom could ever be used

  • every week water-samples were taken and analysed

  • testfishing was performed in May 1972.

Summary: The amount of oil one mile downstream from the last boom was never higher than 1 PPM and the fish did not contain any phenols or oils. The oil content of the surface water in the spill area and 5 miles downstream was, after the clean up job, at about 3 PPM which is normal for rivers during the timber-floating period.

Total Cost: about $170,000 including the innovation and tests.

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Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group
1973