In-situ Burning: A Cleanup Technique for Oil Spills

In-situ burning is recognized as a viable alternative to mechanical methods for cleaning up oil spills on
water, and in near shore areas, wetlands, and other land situations. When performed properly and
under the right conditions, in-situ burning can rapidly reduce the volume of spilled oil and eliminate the
need to collect, store, transport, and dispose of recovered oil. In-situ burning can shorten the response
time to an oil spill, thus reducing the chances that the oil will spread on the water surface and thereby
protecting aquatic biota. Such rapid removal of oil can also prevent the oil from reaching shorelines,
which are difficult to clean and where the greatest environmental damage caused by oil spills occurs.