The aim of this study is to highlight the potential use of marine algae as well as polypropylene for the removal of crude oil from surface seawater.
The determination of optimal sorption time and sorption capacity of the materials in oil/water bath
and oil bath without water in presence of three oils of different viscosity were investigated. The capacity of oil removal from seawater was related to structure and surface properties as well as oil amount and oil properties especially, its viscosity.
The results revealed that the extension of absorption time does not influence absorption capacity of the examined sorbents in presence of both oils of low and middle viscosity (LV and MV). Nevertheless, the sorption capacity was increased by extending the absorption time to 30 min. For high viscose oil (HV). The sorption capabilities of Enteromorpha exceeded those observed for all of the other algae, while polypropylene fiber showed the highest capacity. Overall, the sorption capacity of the studied sorbents increased with increasing oil viscosity. The absorption capacities of studied materials in the oil bath and oil/water bath were comparable.
The results suggested that substitution of synthetic oil sorbents used in Syria by marine algae is possible in oil removal, which have relatively high sorption capacity.
