Stabilization of oil-in-water emulsions by highly dispersed particles: Role in self-cleaning processes and prospects for practical application

Abstract

Natural self-cleaning processes are a special focus area in searching for cost-effective and environmentally sound technologies for minimizing the oil spot effect on water areas. From this perspective, a viable alternative to existing soluble xenobiotic dispersants may be provided by highly dispersed solid particles. They can be used in technologies based on formation of stable oil-in-water emulsions that can sink down below the water surface to be further degraded by microorganisms. In this context, the formation conditions for oil-mineral aggregates, ways of stabilization of oil-in-water emulsions by highly dispersed solid particles, and factors affecting their formation efficiency were considered, as well as the prospects for their application in oil spill remediation technologies for open and coastal water areas.