What Causes Floating Oil Sheens?

Almost all hydrocarbons, when spilled on water, will form a thin film or sheen. This floating oil sheen is not just an aesthetic issue—it’s a potential environmental hazard.

Oil sheen is created when a very thin layer of oil spreads out across the water’s surface. As this thin layer expands, its appearance transforms, changing from black or brown to a rainbow of colors. Interestingly, the color of the sheen often correlates with the oil’s thickness.

While a floating oil sheen may not seem as catastrophic as a large-scale oil spill, it’s no less significant in its implications for spill containment. Even a small sheen can render an oil spill reportable and have long-term ecological impacts, including habitat destruction.

Why Are Oil Sheens So Harmful?

Transient oil sheens on open water might eventually dissipate due to wave action, causing minimal permanent habitat damage. However, the story is starkly different in chronic scenarios, such as habitual oil sheens caused by outflow from factory holding ponds or marinas.

In these cases, the repeated exposure of aquatic habitats to oil sheens can disrupt ecosystems over time. Habitual oil contamination alters habitats, harms aquatic life, and contributes to long-term environmental degradation.

It’s for this reason that floating oil sheens are considered reportable events, even when their visible impact may seem minor. Their ecological consequences demand proactive measures to address them effectively.

The Challenges of Removing Floating Oil Sheens

Removing oil sheens from water is far more complex than dealing with larger spills. The thinness of the oil layer makes conventional spill containment methods, like skimmers or mechanical systems, impractical for oil sheen removal.

Factories and marinas often rely on a combination of oil-only absorbent booms, pillows, and pads. These are typically made from materials like activated peat moss, cellulose, or polypropylene. While these traditional tools may appear effective, they come with significant limitations:

1. Leaching Issues: Many absorbent materials release the collected oil upon removal, undoing much of their intended purpose.
2. Uptake Time: Solidifying polymers can take up to 45 minutes to absorb oil, leaving the sheen unaddressed for extended periods.
3. Volumetric Expansion: Some polymers swell up to 229 times their original volume, creating a massive amount of waste to manage and dispose of.
4. Saturation Problems: Traditional booms, blankets, and pillows often sink when saturated, reducing their effectiveness over time.

A Smarter Solution: SheenGuard® Pillows and Blankets

At Guardian Environmental Technologies, we’ve developed a faster, more efficient way to combat floating oil sheens: SheenGuard pillows and blankets, powered by our proprietary absorbent, PetroGuard D®.

Here’s why SheenGuard stands out:

• Fast Acting: Unlike conventional methods, SheenGuard absorbs oil rapidly. Tests show an uptake time for diesel oil of just 0.05 minutes and crude oil in only 1 minute.
• Low Volumetric Increase: With a maximum volumetric increase of ≤15%, SheenGuard minimizes waste, reducing disposal challenges.
• No Leaching: Once absorbed, the oil stays contained, ensuring no re-release into the environment.
• Floatability: Designed to remain buoyant, SheenGuard blankets and pillows continue to work effectively even when fully saturated.

Our clients in factories and marinas have seen firsthand how SheenGuard pillows and blankets simplify oil sheen removal, saving both time and money while prioritizing environmental protection.

Protecting the Environment Through Innovation

The entrepreneurial spirit at Guardian Environmental Technologies drives us to develop individualized solutions for our customers. By tackling oil sheen challenges head-on, we’re helping businesses prevent environmental damage while streamlining their operations.

Take Action Today

If you’re dealing with floating oil sheens, don’t settle for outdated methods that are slow, leach oil, or create excessive waste. SheenGuard offers a faster, more sustainable solution.

Call us today at (203) 885-2019 to discuss your needs and discover how our innovative products can help you protect the environment—and your bottom line.