The clearness of the water is referred to as turbidity, and it is a term used especially in oil spill remediation. Oil clean up is normally a long and difficult process, no matter the size of the spill, whether it is a boat being run aground or something as disastrous as the BP Oil Crisis. Not only is it because of the amount of man hours it takes to clean up the problem afterwards, but also because the environment can suffer for years as the local ecosystem tries to balance it self out again.

One of the more common methods used in oil spill remediation efforts when it is a larger spill is a turbidity curtain or turbidity barrier. Usually they are intended to be used in calm waters, and their purpose is to stop sediment from the area being worked on in the water from moving into a larger body of water. It also helps to control organics being released into the water column, which is essential because high levels can be extremely toxic to marine life.

If sediment barriers have to be used in tidal areas or anywhere that it could be affected by loading from any side, the best course is to anchor the sediment curtain on both sides so that change in current or wind will stop the turbidity screen from pulling free of the anchors. In cases where a turbidity curtain needs to be used and there is a strong current, it is best to install it parallel to the current when at all possible to make sure it stays as stable as possible.

This is just one of the many tools that those involved in oil spill remediation efforts can help to control the oil or organic matter from spreading through water, and already it is pretty complex. This is why oil spill control is difficult, and takes a lot of effort on everyone’s part to try and make it right. Helpful research also found here: www.abasco.com