Oil - Worksheets 1-7 1. Oil Clean-up Game Instructions 2. Fascinating Fact Sheet 1 - Oil Pollution 3. Fascinating Fact Sheet 2 - Oil spills at sea 4. Fascinating Facts 3 - Cleaning up an oil spill 5. Fascinating Facts 4 - Rescuing Wildlife 6. Oil Spill Quiz 7. Oil Spill Quiz Answer Sheet Aims Oil Clean -up Game Instructions - these are provided for you to print out and laminate for pupils to use whilst playing the Oil Clean-Up Game on the website. Fascinating Fact Sheets - these provide key information about oil spills and the clean - up operation. It expands the information provided for pupils on the website. Oil Spill Quiz - this can be used as a pre/post test to check pupil's knowledge.
Oil Clean-up Game Instructions Mayday! Mayday! It's a good thing you have a disaster control plan in place because the tanker has run aground and is leaking oil into the sea. In the crash some of the crewmen were thrown overboard into the sea and will drown unless they are rescued. This is a test of speed and skill. You need to save the crewmen from the water as quickly as possible and then clean up as much of the oil as you can. To complete the task you will need to use both boats: LIFEBOAT OIL CLEAN-UP SHIP To switch between the two boats you press the letter 'B' on your keyboard. SONAR MAP Use the Mini Sonar Map in the bottom right hand corner of the screen to locate the Life Boat house and Oil Depot at any time.
Oil Clean-up Game Instructions continued Basic boat controls Both boats are controlled using the arrow buttons on your keyboard. UP - Move forward DOWN - Move aft (backwards) LEFT - Steer to port (left) RIGHT - Steer to starboard (right) The Lifeboat You need to slow down the lifeboat to pick up the crewmen. If you are moving too fast they will not have time to jump aboard. There are no brakes on a boat so you have to slowdown by using the Move Backwards control. The lifeboat will only hold five extra men. This means you will have to return to the lifeboat house when the boat is full, and then set out again. To drop off the crew, drive back to the lifeboat house and nudge the ramp. You can also score bonus points by slowing down to pick up the blue seabirds trapped in the floating oil. Hot tip: Crewmen with an arrow over their heads are in the most danger of drowning so try to save them first. Boat Damage Every time you run into the rocks or hit an oil barrel you will seriously damage the boat. If you run into the buoys, the oil-boom, the tanker or the beach you will also damage the boat. The damage will not be as bad as hitting the rocks or oil barrels, but it will also slow you down as you try and pull free.
Oil Clean-up Game Instructions continued Boat Damage continued Boat Damage continued If the boat is badly damaged you will need to start again using one of your two extra lives. If you motor over the floating seaweed the boat will be slow down and you will lose valuable time. The Oil Clean-Up Boat To suck up oil from the sea. Press and hold down the 'SPACEBAR' to switch on the suction machine. But be warned! The suction machine will also suck up water, so only switch it on when you are over the floating oil. When the oil tank is full you will need to empty the tank at the floating Oil Depot. To empty the tank motor back to the oil depot and nudge the pipe to empty the tank. Scoring You score points from rescuing the crewmen, cleaning up the oil spill and saving seabirds. The game is over when you have saved all the men and cleaned up or the oil - or you have run out of boats. Hot tip: When lives are at stake, you should always try to save people first.
Oil - Worksheet 2 Fascinating Facts 1 - Oil Pollution Oil is the cause of more than one fifth of all Scottish pollution incidents. Oil can pollute rivers, lochs and the sea, killing wildlife and removing vital oxygen from the water. In Scotland in 2003, there were over 250 incidents of water pollution by oil. Because of the way oil spreads, even a small amount can do a lot of damage. The effect of oil pollution 1 litre of oil could make 1 million litres of fresh water undrinkable. The oil from one car engine is enough to pollute a lake the size of two football pitches. Just half a litre of oil can stop a small sewage treatment works from operating. Many storm water drains lead directly to rivers - pouring waste liquids down these drains is the same as pouring it directly into the river. Oil is poisonous to fish and wildlife and smothers plants. Visit the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) website to find out about the Scottish Oil Care Campaign www.sepa.org.uk
Oil - Worksheet 3 Fascinating Facts 2 - Oil spills at sea Oil spills happen when people make mistakes or a ship is damaged in a storm, hurricane or war. Usually these accidents happen while the oil is being transported and oil spills into rivers, bays or the sea. When an oil spill occurs people around the world are shocked by the damage to the environment. Many oil spills are caused by human error, but there are also oil spills caused by nature such as when oil seeps from deposits under the ocean floor. The early impact of an oil spill on the environment is well known to all of us who hear about it on the radio or see pictures on the news: a film of oil spreading across the surface of the water, oil stained beaches and shorelines, birds and marine mammals coated with oil struggling to survive and dead birds and mammals littering the shoreline.
Oil - Worksheet 3 continued Fascinating Facts 2 - Oil spills at sea continued Oil floats on the sea and when an oil spill happens, the oil spreads over the surface of the water to form a thin layer called an oil slick. Light oil spreads quickly over the water to form a very thin sheen, while heavy black oil often floats in big oil slicks until it is broken up by the waves. This is often called 'chocolate mousse' Oil spills are harmful to marine birds and mammals, as well as fish and shellfish. Oil destroys the ability of furry mammals like seals to keep warm. It also breaks down the water repelling abilities of a bird's feathers. This stop birds from flying and exposes animals to the cold sea, and they often drown.many birds and animals also swallow oil when they try to clean themselves, which can poison them. Marine life on reefs, shorelines and riverbeds can be smothered or poisoned by the oil. The death of these small animals can have a terrible effect on the food chain for years to come. In the worst accidents, like the oil spill from Exxon Valdiz in Alaska, hundreds of thousands of birds and mammalscan be killed or injured.
Oil - Worksheet 4 Fascinating Facts 3 - Cleaning up an oil spill When oil is spilled, the response must be fast and decisive. The main methods used to clean up oil spills are these: BOOMS SKIMMERS SORBENTS Floating barriers which are placed around the leaking ship. Booms stop the oil spreading so that the skimmers can collect it. Boats, vacuum machines, and oil-absorbent plastic ropes that skim spilled oil from the water surface. The skimmer collects oil into a container so it can be removed safely. Big sponges used to absorb oil. GELLING AGENTS CHEMICAL DISPERSANTS BURNING WASHING VACUUM TRUCKS These cause the oil slick to clump together. These break down the oil into its chemical constituents. Sometimes emergency services deliberately set-fire to freshly-spilled oil while it's floating on the water. Oil can be washed off beaches with high-pressure and low-pressure hoses. These are used to vacuum spilled oil from beaches or the water surface. SHOVELS AND ROAD EQUIPMENT These are used to scoop up oil or move oiled beach sand and gravel so that it can be cleaned. BIOLOGICAL AGENTS These can be used to help break down small particles of oil that have contaminated the land.
Oil - Worksheet 4 continued Fascinating Facts 3 - Cleaning up an oil spill continued Meteorologists (weather forecasters) provide important information which helps the response team to track, contain and clean up the oil spill. Decisions on which clean - up and containment methods to use depend both on the current weather and what is forecast at the spill site. Meteorologists provide forecasts of wind shifts and strengths, warnings of severe weather like thunderstorms, lightening and hurricanes, information on wave heights, air and sea temperature, whether the sea might freeze, or fog will roll in cutting down on visibility. How do you think an oil slick will be tracked? The methods and tools people choose will depend on the size and location of the oil spill and the weather. But in every situation, the more oil that can be recovered the better it is for the environment.
Oil - Worksheet 5 Fascinating Facts 4 - Rescuing Wildlife If oil is spilled into the marine environment, the first is to control the spread of the oil. At the same time people try to keep birds and animals away from the contaminated area. Floating dummies and helium filled balloons are often used to scare animals and particularly birds away from oily areas. In the UK, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) usually help set up emergency treatment centres where they can clean wildlife with the help of local volunteers. Cleaning Animals We have seen pictures of birds trying to clean oil out of their feathers. Birds have to be treated as quickly as possible to make sure that they live. First, oil is flushed from their eyes and stomach. Heavily oiled birds are wiped with absorbent cloths to remove patches of oil. The birds will be checked to see if there are any broken bones, cuts or other injuries. They may be given medicine that will coat their stomach to stop any more oil being absorbed into their system. The bird is then warmed and placed in a quiet area - the less stressed they are the better their chance of survival.
Oil - Worksheet 5 continued Fascinating Facts 4 - Rescuing Wildlife (Cleaning Animals) Eating well is vital to their recovery. Wild birds usually learn to feed from pans and other containers as soon as they begin to feel better. However, many birds must be force-fed until they are able to feed on their own. Only once the bird is alert and responsive will it be washed with detergent which is gently stroked into its feathers to remove the oil. A bird may need to be washed more than three times to remove all of the oil. After washing, a bird will be placed in a clean pen lined with sheets or towels and warmed by heat lamps. The next step is to allow it to swim and if all is well it will begin to preen and sort out its feathers putting them back into the right place. Before a bird can be released back into the wild it must pass the 'waterproofing' test - it must be able to float and keep water away from its body.
Oil - Worksheet 6 Activity 1 - Oil Spill Quiz How much do you know about oil spills? Try this quiz: Circle the answer. 1. Oil spills are caused by both man and nature. True or False? 2. When oil spills into the sea it floats. True or False? 3. The spreading oil known as an oil slick. True or False? 4. A boom is the loud noise you hear when an oil tanker hits rocks. True or False? 5. Match the following clean up methods to the correct descriptions by drawing a line between the two: a. Suction skimmer A floating barrier. b. Dispersing agents Using high or low pressure hoses to remove the oil from the beaches. c. Pressure washing Chemicals that break down the oil into small droplets. d. Boom Sucks oil and pumps it into storage tanks. 6. You could make use of shovels or road equipment (diggers/scoops) to clean up the oil on a pebbled beach. True or False?
Oil - Worksheet 6 continued Activity 1 - Oil Spill Quiz continued 7. Floating dummies could be used to scare birds away from oily areas. True or False? 8. Treating birds affected by oil has to be carried out in a certain order. Put these steps in the correct order: a. Check for injuries. b. Flush oil from the eyes and stomach. c. Put the bird in a quiet area. d. Wipe the feathers with absorbent cloths. e. Warm the bird. 9. An oiled bird will need to be washed in detergent only once to get rid of the oil. True or False? 10. Before a bird is released back into the wild it has to pass a flying test. True or False? Check your answers with the Answer Sheet.
Oil - Worksheet 7 Activity 1 - Oil Spill Quiz Answer Sheet 1. True - Many oil spills are caused by human error, but there are also oil spills caused by nature such as when oil seeps from deposits under the ocean floor. 2. True - Most oils are lighter than water so they float. The lighter the oil the faster it spreads. Heavy crude oil does sink. This means that the sea can be polluted both on the sea bed and the surface. 3. True 4. False -a boom is a floating barrier put around an oil tanker that is leaking oil to contain the oil until it either evaporates or can be removed. 5. a. A suction skimmer sucks oil and pumps it into storage tanks. b. Dispersing agents are chemicals that break down the oil into small droplets. c. Pressure washing using high or low pressure hoses to remove the oil from the beaches. d. A boom is a floating barrier. 6. False - shovels and road equipment can be used on a sandy beach to pick up oil or move oiled sand and gravel to where it can be cleaned by being tumbled about in the waves. 7. True - helium balloons may also be used. 8. The correct order is: - b d a e c. 9. False - a bird may need to be washed three times or more to get rid of the oil. 10. False - the bird must show that it can float and that it is water repellent.
Oil Worksheet 8 8 Experiment 1 Oil Spill Simulation Aims To enable pupils to create an oil-spill simulation and observe the characteristics and effects of an oil spill. Materials Copy of Experiment 1 for each pupil. A large shallow pan. Water. Dirty car oil. Drinking Straws. String. A timer. A cup of sand. Some large pebbles (optional). NB: All of these items are for each group. Method Divide the pupils into small groups and hand out a copy of the experiment to each pupil. Discuss the experiment and check the pupil s understanding. Allocate sufficient time for the groups to prepare their recording methods for the observations. NB: If a standard planning sheet for science experiments is available in your school which allows pupils to determine the aim of the investigation, the factors or variables that could be changed and a method for recording results, it can be used for this experiment. Hand out the equipment. Pupils set up the equipment and conduct the experiment keeping a record of their observations. Pupils write up their experiment and answer the questions. Review the results with the pupils.
Oil - Worksheet 8 Experiment 1 - Oil Spill Simulation What does an oil spill look like? Try this experiment. Record your observations by keeping track of how the oil spill changes in size and appearance. Read the instructions carefully and make sure that you have everything that you need before starting the experiment. What you will need: A large shallow pan Water Dirty car oil Drinking straws String A timer A cup of sand and some large pebbles (optional) How to find out: 1. Pour water into the pan so that it is 2/3 filled. Gently pour a small amount of oil into the pan. 2. Loop the string around the "oil spill". 3. Mark the length of the string, measure it, and record the length on a data table. 4. Wait five minutes, repeat the string measurements and make any observations and record these. 5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for a total of six readings. 6. Using the straw, lightly blow on the spill to spread it out; record observations and repeat this every 5 minutes. If your spill covers the entire pan start again. 7. Now shake or vibrate the pan to create light wave action - record your observations. (Additional observations could be made by making a "shoreline" of sand and rocks. Note the effects of oil on these materials).
Oil - Worksheet 8 continued Experiment 1 - Oil Spill Simulation continued Write up your experiment: What you used What you did What happened What conclusions you came to Try to answer these questions: 1. Left alone, did the oil spread in an organised way? How did the oil spread? 2. How did you help the spread of the oil? What kinds of conditions were you simulating? 3. What effect did the wave action have on the spill?
Oil - Worksheet 9 9 Experiment 2 Cleaning Wildlife Aims To simulate the cleaning of wildlife after an oil spill. To devise the most efficient method for cleaning wildlife. Materials A copy of Experiment 2 for each pupil. Some cuddly toys that will not shrink. Vegetable Oil. Water. Washing up liquid. Washing powder or liquid for clothes. Carpet cleaner. Old towels. A hairdryer. NB: All of these items are for each group Method Discuss with the pupils the after effects of an oil spill for wildlife recapping on the information provided in Fascinating Fact sheet 4. Explain that in this experiment that they are going to simulate cleaning wildlife using household cleaning materials and cuddly toys. Divide the pupils into small groups and hand out the experiment. Discuss the experiment and check understanding. Allocate sufficient time for groups to organise how they will proceed and prepare their recording methods for the different cleaning methods. NB: If a standard planning sheet for science experiments is available in your school which allows pupils to determine the aim of the investigation, the factors or variables that could be changed and a method for recording results it can be used for this experiment. Hand out the equipment. Pupils conduct the experiment keeping a record of their observations. Pupils write up their experiment and answer the questions.
Oil - Worksheet 9 Experiment 2 - Cleaning Wildlife Following an oil spill there is always a need to rescue wildlife and clean oil from their fur and feathers. How difficult do you think this might be? You will need: Some cuddly toys that will not shrink Vegetable oil Water Washing up liquid Washing powder or liquid for clothes Carpet cleaner Old towels Hairdryer How to find out: vegetable Oil 1. Put a small amount of vegetable oil on the animals to simulate what happen when wildlife gets covered with oil from a spill. 2. Try different ways of cleaning the animals using the different cleaning materials. Record your results including information about the type of cleaning material that you used and how many times it took to wash the oil out of the animal. 3. Devise the most efficient way to clean the animals. Write up your experiment: What you used What you did What happened What conclusions you came to
Oil - Worksheet 10 10 Activity 1 Making Mousse Aims To demonstrate that oil is lighter than water. To simulate what happens when oil and water mix in the sea. Materials A copy of Activity 1 for each pupil A glass jar with a lid A cup Vegetable oil Method This activity can either be carried out by the teacher with the whole class or in small groups. It would also be a suitable homework activity. The activity card contains detailed instructions for the pupils. Follow these instructions if you decide to undertake this with the class as a whole. The learning points and comparisons with an oil spill are also provided. You may choose to reproduce this activity without the additional information and pose questions for the pupils however, it is important that they are able to relate what they see in the jar to the mousse produced in an oil spill.
Oil - Worksheet 10 Activity 1 - Making Mousse The mixture of oil and water following an oil spill is often called 'chocolate mousse'. Here is your opportunity to make 'mousse'. You will need: A glass jar with a lid A cup Vegetable oil vegetable Oil How to make 'mousse': 1. Fill the glass jar half full of water and then add half a cup of vegetable oil. Screw the lid on tight! Pass the jar around. You can turn it upside down. No matter how you handle the jar, up or down, the oil always floats on top of the water. This is because the oil is less DENSE than the water. 2. Start shaking the jar - be careful not to drop it. The oil and water look as if they are mixing together. This is what happens in the sea when the oil and water are mixed up by strong waves or during a storm. As you shake the jar, if you watch carefully, you'll see that the oil blobs get smaller just as they would do in the sea if the storm lasted for a long time. At the same time, tiny amounts of water fill up the spaces between the oil blobs. This mixture of oil and water is called emulsified oil or MOUSSE. 3. Put the jar down and wait for a few minutes then look at the jar. As soon as you stopped shaking the jar, the oil that was mixed up with the water will begin to separate and float to the top. The mousse that you make by shaking oil in a jar does not last very long. In a few minutes the oil and water are in separate layers. Usually, once oil that has spilled on the sea has formed a mousse, it also eventually unmixes from the water in the same way but it takes longer.
Oil - Worksheet 11 11 Activity 2 Oil spill clean up Challenge Aims To illustrate how haphazard and uncontrolled an oil spill can be. For pupils to experience organising an "oil spill" clean up. For pupils to consider what happens to the "oil" once it is captured. Materials A copy of the pupil review sheet for each pupil. A room (use your classroom if you do not object to it being messy during the activity) One of the following - confetti, polystyrene foam packing bits, or popcorn. Vacuum cleaner, brooms, shovels and rubbish bags available for the clean up! Method Explain to the pupils that you are going to simulate an oil spill and they are going to clean it up! Fill the room with your chosen material and ask the pupils to think of an ingenious way, or use a fan to distribute the material all over the room to illustrate how haphazard and uncontrolled an oil spill can be. Divide the pupils into small groups and ask them how the "spill" can be cleaned up quickly and efficiently. What equipment will they need? How will they organise the class? Allocate sufficient time for each group to discuss and produce their clean up plan. Each group presents their idea and the class votes on which one they think is the most efficient way to clean up the "spill". Pupils carry out the clean up following the agreed plan. Ask pupils to review the process using the Pupil Review Sheet provided. Discuss their answers and ask for their ideas for the safe disposal of the "spill" material.
Oil - Worksheet 11 Activity 2 - Oil Spill Clean-Up Challenge Pupil Review Sheet Think about the activity and finish the sentences below The thing I enjoyed about this activity was Something I'll remember about this activity is The way we organised the clean-up meant that One thing that we found difficult was If I could start this activity again I would The three most important things I learned about cleaning up after an oil spill from this activity were